Galatians 5:15, KJV: “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another”
We pride ourselves on our denominational, political, and social divides. We embrace these points of view to the exclusion of Christ.
The apostle Paul expressed his outrage over the sycophant mentality of the early church. Believers wanted to be identified based upon the popular religious ideologies. They took pride in their affiliations rather than humbly identifying with Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
We are no different. We think it is important that people understand our convictions about racial and social justice, economic equity, gender issues, foreign policy and wars. We would rather be known as left, right or center on these issues. We equivocate on Jesus so we can bear the labels liberal or conservative. After all, isn’t that why we were called in Jesus? Is it not the Holy Spirit’s job to remind us to grow to be more like the members of government and civic organizations? Aren’t we supposed to stand up for our rights like Jesus, even if it takes hurting someone in the process?
No reasonable non-believer should, nor would accept a faith where the members are so at odds with things that matter in time but not in eternity. If we focused on the love we are supposed to have for one another, the distortion of the things in time would disappear. If we loved more, we would resent less and condemn less.
We have let the world know that we would rather not sit with people who claim to know Jesus if they don’t advocate for issues we see important. We proclaim they are worthy of damnation because they hold a particular position or opinion. What the world sees is we fight each other, when our real enemy is the world, the flesh and the devil.
We crucify Christ afresh. We put Him to open shame. We butcher the body of Christ. Dividing the church, the body of believers is no way to conquer the world.
We are meant to conquer. Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.