FOUNDATIONAL SCRIPTURES:
Ephesians 4:1-6 “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13 “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Yesterday morning while sleeping I heard these words “Am I divided?” Immediately I heard the scripture “…there is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.” I started thinking about ways in which the Body of Christ is divided. We are divided in many places by race, economics, and largely by political party. Jesus is saying to us His bride “AM I DIVIDED”. As I searched for scriptures concerning division, I came across 1 Corinthians 1:10-13…“Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
In this scripture we see that Apostle Paul was dealing with division in the church. It appears the saints were following their favorite “leader” instead of following Christ. Paul reminds us here that we were never called to follow a man. The first thing Paul addresses is that there should be NO DIVISION among the Body but rather they should work towards being complete by having the same mindset. What mindset is that? The mind of Christ. Philippians 2:5-11 (NLT) says “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges, he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” So much stands out to me om this scripture. Jesus didn’t focus on how he thought or His own feelings. He “did not think of equality with God”. This means, He didn’t put Himself on the throne and decided what is and what should be. He became subject to His Father’s words. He took the position of humility under God. This means His Father’s word and instructions was His final judgment. Then Paul goes on to say “Is Christ divided? Jesus is asking His bride today “Am I divided?” Are you serving men, yourself or are you serving me? I believe the Lord is impressing upon my heart that He is looking for the remnant believers who are united in the Spirit. It’s time out for a divided body. How do we expect to accomplish the perfect will of God on this earth being divided? We are divided by race, divided by doctrines of men that have made God’s Word of no effect. (Mark 7:6-13) We are divided by political party. Is Jesus a Democrat, Independent, or a Republican? Jesus said in Matthew 12:25 (NASB) “… Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand.” Disciples of Christ are not to be led by worldly ideas nor are we to be led by our own. There is a song many of us have heard called “It’s not about us.” The lyrics go on to say “but it’s about Jesus.” The truth is we have made it about us. How? By placing how we feel, what we think, and what we believe ahead of what Jesus has said. Every disciple Jesus called started with “Follow Me.” Paul reminds us that we must die daily. (1 Cor 15:31) Jesus can’t live and us live at the same time. One or the other will be in charge. We are to be led by the Spirit of God for those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14) Why? Because He alone is the one who leads and guides us into all truth. (John 16:13).
We may belong to different church families but we are all ONE BODY; THE BODY OF CHIRST. Because we are the Body of Christ, we ALL regardless of church family should govern ourselves according to the Word of God. Just think what would happen if the only question we asked ourselves is “What does the Word say.” Whenever we are talking with others and we are giving feedback, our feedback would be “this is what the Word says.” If we didn’t agree with how another church or person operates or functions instead of “our feedback” it would be what the Word says (unfortunately, God’s Word gets misinterpreted to justify our own disobedience or control (witchcraft) but this will be address in another discussion). Satan and his forces would have less ground in our lives and the lives of others because the ground would be taken up by God’s Word. I saw this scripture Psalm 119:89 and my spirit man leaped. It says “The word of God is forever settled in heaven. Therefore, I establish His word upon this earth.” Merriam-Webster defines settle as secure permanently. God’s Word is sure, it can’t fail. It has been tested and tried. Establish is defined as to introduce and cause to grow and multiply. This scripture is speaking to our responsibility as disciples is to cause God’s Word to grow and multiply on this earth by speaking it. His Word is already secure all we need to do is speak it and therefore we will establish it here on the earth. Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer “Your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” God’s Word must become our final authority. Now our responsibility must be to establish it on earth by decreeing it out of our mouths. This is the year of the mouth. God’s Word is the truth. (John 17:17) When we speak it, we establish it and then His Word must manifest because God watches over His Word to perform it. (Jeramiah 1:12)
As we are shut in, let us the Body of Christ, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to our hearts individually where we are operating in division. Ask Him, in what ways or attitudes am I feeding a spirit of division? Whatever Jesus hasn’t planted must be uprooted. Are we willing to allow Him to uproot whatever isn’t pleasing to Him? I leave you with His question, “AM I DIVIDED?