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Jesus wants us, his followers, to love each other.  He tells us our love for each other will show other people that we are his disciples (John 13:35).  Also, Jesus wants us to be one, and he tells us our oneness will convince the world that God sent him and that God loves those who love him (John 17:20-23).  In the light of these teachings, it’s not surprising that division was one of the first strategies the devil used to disrupt the church.

Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. (Acts 6:1) *(For more information on Hellenists and Hebrews, see note below)

And, not long afterwards in the church at Corinth,

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.  For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters.  What I mean is that each of you says, ‘I belong to Paul’ or ‘I belong to Apollos’ or ‘I belong to Cephas’ or ‘I belong to Christ’.  Has Christ been divided?” (1 Corinthians 1:10-13)

The history of the church shows that the church has tended to divide whenever there has been a significant disagreement.   People have called each other heretics.  Christian blood has been shed by Christians.  Christians have executed other Christians, often horribly.  Is this the vision Jesus had for his church?  No.  Of course not.  Violence among Christians may not be as common as it once was, but division is still one of the devil’s most effective strategies.  We 21st Century Christians are not showing ourselves to the world as great examples of love or unity.  This problem has crippled the work of the church for centuries.

Good News!  The kingdom of God is coming and things are improving.  Today, many Christians are going out of their way to have conversations with Christians from different backgrounds.  We are listening to each other’s experiences of God.  We are accepting and affirming each other as sisters and brothers in Christ.  We are expressing our love for each other.  This is very good.

Christians who belong to one denomination are not much different from our brothers and sisters in other denominations or to those who do not belong to any denomination.  We serve the same just and loving God. We follow the teachings of the same Lord and Savior.  Note this, it’s really important; the differences between us usually have nothing to do with Jesus’ teachings.  Usually, the things we disagree about are things that human teachers have invented since Jesus physically left our planet.  We should remember that Jesus strongly criticized religious teachers who taught human teachings rather than the teachings of God (Matthew 15:7-9).

Loving each other doesn’t mean we have to agree with each other.  We are members of one family and members of any family will disagree.  So, we disagree, but we do so knowing that the people we are talking to are our sisters and brothers and, therefore, we must treat them with respect and affection.  We must encourage each other.  We must listen to what our sisters and brothers have to say.  We must humbly acknowledge that we could be wrong.  We are called to an affectionate, kind, respectful, and listening love.

One last thing.  We live in a world where division is being encouraged by many in our communities including our political leaders.  We are encouraged to view people who don’t think like us as being wrong, stupid or led astray.  We must not be part of the divisive spirit that is damaging our societies.  We must not be part of the devil’s agenda.

We followers of the teachings of Jesus are called to set an example of peace, reconciliation and love (See article “What did Jesus say about division?”.  Link below.)

May our loving heavenly Father bless us and strengthen us as we serve him.

Jesus is Lord.

Peter O

 

Related Articles

“What did Jesus say about division?”

“What did Jesus say about unity? (And why aren’t we taking any notice?)”

“How does the devil attack the Church? – Introduction.”

“How does the devil attack the Church?  Answer 2 – Persecution.”

“How does the devil attack the Church?  Answer 3 – By making the Church an institution.”

“I’m a ‘Don’t Knowist.'”

 

* This division between Hellenists and Hebrews was not a division between Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) – it happened before Gentiles joined the church, when followers of Jesus still considered themselves to be part of the Jewish religion.  The Hebrews were those who kept the language and customs of their Jewish ancestors, while Hellenists were Jews who were more open to Greek ideas and culture.

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