Dividing Christ Into FactionsRock of Offence CommentaryMany who defend the division found in the modern "church" use the word "diversity" to justify it. Christ's church is diverse. Christians come from all racial groups and possess different and various spiritual gifts. Yet, diversity should never be used to justify the division we see today. Jesus warned that a kingdom divided against itself shall not stand (Matt. 12:25). That principle applies to any kingdom--including God's. It is a clear warning. Yet, the institutional church is a house divided...and it's powerless to correct the situation. To ignore the obvious is to be in denial. The problem runs deeper than just division. We effectively divide Christ into various factions that disagree on issues of truth. Many of these "factions" practice methodologies and religious traditions that oppose the teachings of Jesus who they claim to represent. Some well-intentioned folks try to hold things together by saying that all the different denominations and churches each represent a different perspective of Jesus. If the division we see originated with God, the different "perspectives" of Jesus would complement each other. But, just the opposite is true. Rather than complementing each other--many oppose and contradict each other. The inconsistency causes sharp disagreement --even down to the primary essentials of salvation! These characteristics do not represent a Godly "diversity" as some maintain. The Bible clearly states that God doesn't cause confusion like this (1 Cor. 14:33)! This means the process is coming from somewhere else. To the unbelieving world, Jesus appears to contradict Himself. For those seeking truth, it causes nothing less than total confusion when trying to understand God's will and purpose. This is one reason the world tends to reject Jesus Christ. Several weeks ago while driving to work I noticed a bumper sticker on the back of a car. It read, "God save us from your followers". We might not like it--but that describes the feeling of many in the world. In the end this religious "organizational patch-work" fails because of one fact. The institutional church is not the church that Jesus built. It never can be. As we said earlier, the institutional church may contain members of Christ's church--but the organization itself isn't His church. The 501C3 non-profit organizational church of today is more a product of man than of God. Yet, in spite of this God uses the system and visits his people from time to time with revival and spiritual renewal. These "divine visitations" are sometimes viewed as heaven's stamp of approval on "the organization" when actually it's God demonstrating His love to people. Those who strive to preserve the unity of religious organizations (believing the organization is the real church) are sacrificing time and energy for an unbiblical ideology. I now understand that the division and infighting will never be resolved until Jesus returns and sets things straight. The process has gone too far--it's way out of control--and there's too much at stake. Instead of a Godly call to ministry (Jesus called it servanthood in Matt. 20:25-28) some have made "the ministry" a career where they are supported (and in some places served) by their followers. In the business world you go to a University, earn an MBA and manage a corporation. In religion you go to seminary, earn a DD and pastor a church. The parallels are amazing--and many sincerely believe this is how God's Kingdom operates. Yet, the original first century church was mainly run by "laymen" and met from house to house. There are many "layers" to this struggle and I've only mentioned a few here. There's no way we can cover every aspect to this tangled web--and I've been studying it for years. The most important aspect to this battle (yes, there is one!) is between those who hold the truth of God's Word and those who seek to distort it. Neither side will surrender, which is why the battle continues. All of this gives our enemy, Satan, plenty of ammunition to use against the truth of God's Word--and he's doing it. Blasphemous heresies are multiplying faster than a yard full of rabbits. (2 Peter 1:1-3, 1 Cor. 11:18-19) The apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthian church addresses the underlying sin that fuels institutional church division. Notice that Paul does not advocate what the modern "church" refers to as "diversity". Modern diversity is grounded in relativism. Diversity, especially in America, is where there's really no absolute truth. Truth that's absolute and finite is considered intolerant and bigoted by the apostate church of today. [Maybe we should re-evaluate the law of gravity!] Everyone's opinion is treated as the truth in some places. We are told that opinions are not necessarily wrong--just different. This modern definition of diversity is not a strength (as many say it is)--it's a weakness and a sin that destroys the testimony of Christ. "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. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name." (1 Corinthians 1: 10-15 KJV)Paul said that we should all speak THE SAME THING. Our beliefs are not to conflict with each other when it comes to God. If Paul's words sound idealistic, it only proves how far we've fallen--and it's a long way. Paul also tells us how we get into the error of speaking different things. We divide Christ into different factions. Today, we follow "ministry personalities" like the Corinthians did--but also religious organizations that were started by individual ministers. I'm Baptist...I'm Methodist...I'm Pentecostal...I'm Catholic...I'm Presbyterian...the list goes on. And then there's that one super-exclusive group who says, I'm not like all the rest...I'm of Christ! There are hundreds of groups that claim to represent God, but say different things.What should believers do today? Understand the problem and be the "salt" Jesus told us to be (Matt. 5:13). Don't fall in the trap. Don't allow others to categorize you into a religious group. Discourage and avoid it. Decide not to participate in the popular practice of dividing Christ, but also don't get arrogant and exclusive like the "I'm of Christ" group Paul mentioned. Learn to be satisfied with allowing others to see you as just a follower of Jesus. There's a fine line between right and wrong on this issue. Serious error is on one side and religious pride on the other. Much of the arrogance and religious "pride" visible in the modern church comes from identifying with a certain "group" or organization that is perceived as being, "on the cutting edge of God's purposes". I've often said that the famous last words of a fellowship (church organization) on the decline are when the pastor declares, "Our church teaches the Bible more than any one else!" How proud it makes people feel to be part of a group like that. Most religious people draw their strength and boldness from being part of a group that is perceived as being "special to God" or "closest to the truth". Don't get caught in this trap. Learn to draw your strength and purpose from knowing and being accepted by Jesus Christ. Some day you may have to stand by yourself--alone. If your strength is Jesus Christ, you'll do well. If your strength is based in group acceptance and membership, you'll fall. Remember the old hymn, "I have decided to follow Jesus"? One verse reads... "Though none go with me--still I will follow. No turning back, no turning back".Many modern Christians have not experienced the real meaning of that hymn. Yet, God has been known to call His children away from "church"--to Himself--alone--sometimes for months and even years. Moses, Jesus, John the Baptist, the apostle Paul and others had this experience. John the Baptist went into the wilderness and never came back! If your identity is in a church organization--if your energy and enthusiasm comes from big meetings, dynamic worship and powerful preaching--rather than Jesus...you will fail when the going gets tough. Build your life on "the Rock", not sand. (Matt. 7:24-29) |
