DIVISION

I can only speak on my own behalf, but I tell you truthfully I do not even like the sound of this word “division”. What if our own bodies were divided? Can you even imagine that part of your body goes south and another part goes north? You would never arrive anyplace if this were to happen. This also stands true to the Lord’s body which is the church [Col. 1:24]. If those in the Lord’s church are going in different directions no work for the Lord will ever be accomplished. Furthermore, this is not what Jesus desires for His church: (John 17:21-23) “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.  ²²And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:  ²³I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Jesus desires that we be united or as He said, “That they all may be one”. Jesus knew that unity is important so that the world may KNOW that God had sent Him. Although we all may have different ideas we must strive for unity.

In the early church at Corinth there was “division” for which the apostle wrote a strong rebuke. (1 Cor 1:13) “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”
(1 Cor. 12:13) “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” Division is nothing less than a carnal spirit: (1 Cor. 3:3) “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” Contentions and quarrels about religion are sad evidences of remaining carnality. This is far from what Jesus desires for His church! This is most unbecoming to the church: (1 Cor. 12:24-25) “For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:  ²⁵That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” 

What are we to do if divisions should appear in the church? Here is the inspired advice of the apostle Paul: (Rom. 16:17) “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” How do we mark them? I am sure there are varied ideas as to how we are to “mark” them. One thing that this phrase does not mean is that we physically place a mark of their foreheads so that everyone will know that they are the ones who are causing “divisions”. One commentator said it means to “keep an eye on them so as to avoid divisions”. Jesus knew that divisions and offences would occur and He pronounced a “woe” upon them:
(Matt. 18:7) “Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” Divisions alienate the affections of Christians one from another, therefore we can fully understand why the Lord would not want divisions to take place in His church! According to the words of Jesus the church cannot endure or stand against “divisions”: (Matt. 12:25) “And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:” 

How can we avoid “divisions”? The only way I know is to stick to the Word of God. Anything that differs from the sound doctrine of the scriptures opens wide the door of division and should be avoided. This is why preachers of old used Book, Chapter and Verse. Sad to say there are those who will not accept even the Word of God. God knows what is best for the church and He wants it His way. May we continue to know and to stand for what the Word of God teaches and commands of us as a church. By this we can avoid “division”!

-Bud