“Is Christ divided?”

‍1 Corinthians 1:13

The True Church of Jesus Christ is called to be unified in the Faith.  The Church is to be one body, with Jesus being the Chief Cornerstone, all linked together by the Blood of Christ.  As the Body of Christ, also known as the Church, we are called to be in “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”  (Ephesians 4:3)

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Unfortunately, over the years, imperfect human beings attempting to serve a Holy, Perfect God has created division within the body.  People over the course of many centuries have worked long and hard to create a Pentecostal Jesus, a Baptist Jesus, a Methodist Jesus, and/or a Presbyterian Jesus.  Doctrines have been over emphasized, and some de-emphasized, to make the Word of God fit into a nice little tidy box for safe keeping.  Division brought denominations amongst the People of God.

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One can look at the definitions of division and denomination and see the two go hand in hand.  One may say that denomination is merely the agreement of division.  Denomination is a house divided.  Jesus says in Mark 3:25, “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”  If we cannot come into agreement with one another about Jesus Christ, how do we expect lost souls to come into an agreement with us about Jesus as Lord and Savior?  Unfortunately, people know more about their church by-laws than they do God’s Law.  By-laws put the “he said, she said” of political correctness over the “Rock of Offence” and “Thus saith the Lord.”

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“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

1 Corinthians 1:10

ALL denominations must come back to the “first love” (Revelation 2:4) and the “first works” (Revelation 2:5) of Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.  If every denomination would remove their Faith from the enticing words of man’s wisdom, place it in the Cross that demonstrates the Spirit and Power of God, then can we be united as The Body of Christ in Spirit and in Truth.  We must put away the self-help books filled with promises of candy canes and unicorns and allow the whole Bible to become the standard for righteous living.  We must allow the Holy Spirit to operate in every church, and not allow church committees to determine how the Holy Spirit should, or should not operate.  We need to be more focused on the Big “C” in Christ and His Church; not the little “c” that is our definition of church.  Church is not a building or a denomination.  Church is you and I, along with countless others, believing in Jesus Christ and Him Crucified that makes one Body in Christ.  We are to follow Jesus Christ; not force Jesus to follow us.  Then can the plurality of churches be removed and have One Church, One Body with Jesus Christ as the Head.

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Jesus Christ is not a polygamist.  He desires ONE, spotless, eternal bride that shines bright and beautiful.  Imagine the joy on the Face of Christ if He were to look upon His People, His Church, His Bride linked heart to heart.   Think of how proud Jesus would be to see His Blood Bought Church hand in hand with the Anointing of the Holy Spirit leading us in Holiness and Righteousness.  Only then can we be The Bride that will bring joy to the Bridegroom when He returns for us.