DIVISION IN THE BODY: Ya Gotta Recognize

October 20th, 2023

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.

SCRIPTURE: "for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, 'I am of Paul,' and another, 'I am of Apollos,' are you not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. " 1st Corinthians 3:3-9 [NKJV]

The Lord's testimony among us is the Lord's testimony through us, when we yield to the divine preference, being afforded by the Sacred. Of the attributes of the yielded is unity, the result of diverse capabilities by way of a grandly expert conductor permitting a captivating symphony, or an engaging bit of jazz. The 'together' of 'we are labourers together' needs that leader who miraculously brings differences together, much as Jesus led a very incompatible troupe to become world-changing disciples.

What was done, only God could do. You could call it unity, or by another name, completion. God completes the one and the ones, to His glory. He brings the garden from the wilds of the wilderness. He brings the pleasantry and wealth of home from the raw matter of the land. He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Psalm 23:3 And 'we' are the truest we that we can be, in His presence. 'We' works well when led by God.

Whether Paul or Apollos being fitted into one's salvation story, or whether Pastor Cockrell, or Ministers Carter, Mosley, or Carpenter, it is God who gives the increase for His kingdom's sake.
Rejoice, for there is no disunity through God, and we worship as one, one-plus-one, or as some, is a good and needful thing. Don't miss your fit! "...let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together...but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near." Hebrews 10:24,25. "Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ...standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel..." Philippians 1:27
So, friend ... 'Where you at?'

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to recognize and to react to one another's differences with a heavenly gaze, knowing that we are brought together to 'become' together. Let patience have her perfect work! Amen.
By Bro. McNeal Brockington