DIVISION IN THE BODY OF CHRIST: An Issue of Immaturity

The Theme for this week’s devotionals is “Division in the Body in Home, Marriages, and Friends” a topic for which Pastor Wayne Cockrell has consistently asked the body of Christ to be in prayer. Be encouraged by today’s devotional and please continue to pray with us.

The Apostle Paul referred to the Corinthians as brothers and sisters (I Cor. 3:1). These Corinthians were saved, but not living consistently considering the spiritual realm into which they were adopted. Jesus' Salvation is a gift of God that He will not take away (John 10:28; Rom. 8:37-38; I John 5:13). Without spiritual growth, believers will continue to live as they did before coming to trust Christ. They behaved on worldly wisdom, like unto mere humans. The Apostle Paul caught wind of this, about the Corinthians- because they divided into factions/cliques, causing envy and strife among themselves (I Cor. 3:3-4).

The Apostle Paul did not scold the Corinthians for their issue of immaturity. He patiently addressed the situation in a way so as not to cause more divisiveness. He reminds them that professing to follow anyone other than the Lord Jesus Christ is acting like mere humans: leaning towards worldly wisdom. When division occurs in the body of the Church- believers have sacrificed peace, unity, and wisdom from above. Jesus destroyed the wall of division between the Jew and Gentile. Today (without realizing) believers are trying to re-erect that wall, imposing new regulations on one another. They voice their own opinion on health, race relations, economy, sexual ethics, politics, education, and immigration, which result in loss of fellowship, friendships and believers leave the church family over differences.

Division in the body of Christ is a serious matter that can destroy a church. There should not be division in the body of Christ. Never-the-less it does exist more across denominational ministries. There should be distinguishing features about us, as followers of Christ. Believers are called to be led by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:14)), Gal. 5:16); put Christ first; pray; replace television for seeking wisdom and truth from Scripture, and pursue a greater awareness of things that feed unity-those things contrary to pride, disagreement, legalism, distrust (especially Church Leaders) and gossip. The Church is a living body of believers growing in their faith walk with Christ.

Prayer: Thank You Lord for Your faithfulness and steadfast love towards Believers on this walk of faith. Teach us to be obedient to Your Word and not turn to the left or right, but straight forward together in love one to another. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
By Sister Novella D Carpenter