Divisions

1 Corinthians 1: 10-11 (ESV)

“I appeal to you brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people there is quarreling among you, my brothers.”

I have had the sad experience of watching many churches ripped apart through disagreements over doctrines or who should be in control. Dissension is a dangerous road to start down. For example: One believes, once saved always saved, yet another does not. One believes instruments should not be used in worship, another believes in dancing and shouting. One believes, if you do not speak in tongues, you are not saved. Another believes tongues are just plain wrong. I could go on and on over the many conflicts we have with each other. Once we start to quarrel, the result of our dispute is inevitably a church split. This has created nearly half a million different denominations since the birth of the Church.

We put our foot down and draw our line in the sand and condemn each other for being so stupid! We wonder how someone could be so foolish to misinterpret scripture and not understand how right we are. But in doing so, we miss completely the commandment of our Lord; to love one another.

John 15: 9-12 (ESV) “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

If we become sidetracked by doctrinal differences, we have fallen into a trap designed to split us up instead of drawing us together. And just because we agree on doctrine, it does not mean we love each other. They are different entities. Let’s say I do not believe in “once saved always saved” and you do. Can we still love each other? Doctrine should never override love! On that night Jesus was betrayed, just before he was crucified, his one commandment was for us to love one another, not get our doctrine straight. Just so you know, I’ve never seen a church split because there was too much love there.

Now to the problem of who should be in control: This is also disastrous. Sometimes it’s the pastor, or the elders, or the rich benefactor, or even the congregation. There is only one who should be in control for a church to have good fruit. He is the Holy Spirit. He is our leader, our corrector, our comforter, and the one through whom we are able to love each other. That is the relationship we must get right. Without Him it is impossible for us to love. If you don’t feel you know Him very well then open the scriptures and seek Him out. Please, let’s love!