Can’t We All Just Get Along?

We all know that there has been great division in our Nation between political parties. I fear this pandemic is now affecting The Church. Recurrently we may see some of God’s people rebuking other churches. Brothers and sisters in Christ reprimanding others, simply because they do not conduct their services in the same manner. They may not dress the same, play the same music, nor share the same style of worship. Some churches may have their lights bright, while others have their lights dimmed. Some may sing congregational songs out of old fashioned hymnbooks, while others prefer singing more modern Christian songs. Posting the words on screens displayed behind their pulpit. Concurrently, some preachers may preach wearing a suit and tie, while others preach wearing more casual attire. All in all, Christ is being preached.

The Bible tells us that it takes different members to form the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

I don’t know about you, but the common theme I am seeing here is, though we all may be different, we can come together for one cause. That being Jesus Christ. Living peaceably together in love for one another as Christ loves. Lifting one another up rather than wasting time tearing others down. This is what Paul is telling us in 1 Corinthians 12:25. When Paul says there should be no schism in the body, he is referring to us having no division within the body. In saying this, Paul tells us that all members of the body, meaning God’s people, should have the same care one for another. Is Paul saying “all members”-as long as they belong to your specific denomination? Or better yet, -as long as they belong to your specific church building? Of course not! Paul is speaking of the entire body of Christ. The Church, not just one church.

When we begin quarreling amongst fellow Christians, we get the focus off of what it should be from within The Church. In turn, preventing it from being carried out into our mission field outside of the church walls. The goal of The Church should be sharing The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Moreover growing disciples. Satan loves this division among God’s people, as it creates a dynamic distraction. This allows the enemy room to move in. Preventing us from seeing the power that comes from the body of Christ, in unity and togetherness. As the Bible tells us in Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”.

Yet should there come a time when we see a brother or sister heading down a wrong path, we should never sit idly by. What we can do, and what we should do is pray for them. Trusting in The Holy Spirit to deal with their hearts. The Bible tells us in Hebrews that He will chasten those who are His. Hebrews 12:6 “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” Foremost, it isn’t our job to do the cleansing. I am sure if we took a good self evaluation we could find some areas in our own lives that need some cleansing. This is when we need to stop looking at what we think are faults in others. Rather looking at ourselves. Jesus tells us this in Luke 6:41

“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?”

Remember, as we read earlier, though we may be different “parts”, we still make up the body of Christ. Your way of worship or appearance may reach some that my ways could never reach. On the other hand, my ways may reach some that your ways could never reach. Nonetheless, we are increasing God’s Kingdom. Carrying out His plans for us which we can read in Colossians 2:2-9

That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Again, Paul is telling us here to be knit together in love. Being careful to check man’s words with God’s Word. That man doesn’t beguile you with vain deceit and philosophy. Possibly after their own cultural or traditional ways which they may happen to prefer for worship.

When you hear a fellow Christian criticizing others, always check what they are being critical of with what God’s Word tells us. If it does line up with God’s Word as I previously mentioned, we need to pray for them. We may even at times need to sit down and speak with them about the path they are heading down in a loving manner.

However, verse 8 clearly tells us to never allow any man to spoil you because of the way you may worship or because of how you may look on the outside as you worship. Check yourself, if what you are doing is sincerely praising and glorifying God, continue on! God knows your heart. The Bible tells us that God does not look on the outward part of man. What God sees is the inward part. We see this in 1 Samuel 16:7 “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. “

We should never find ourselves in a place where we are more concerned with being right rather than with The One Who Is Righteous. Paul warns us about this in Romans 12:16

“Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”

Solomon also, in all his wisdom spoke of this in Proverbs 26:12

“Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.”

Time is too short to be wasting it tearing down our brothers and sisters in Christ. The day is coming. So don’t waste the days you have. Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Let us not be like the church of Ephesus which Jesus spoke of in Revelation 2:4 “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” Rebuking them for losing their initial fervor for Him. Let us rather get back to our first love. Now more than ever as we see the day approaching!

David wrote in Psalm 122:1 “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”

I would like to propose a challenge to us all. A challenge to reignite our gladness once more as we go into the house of The Lord! Setting our focus on growing ourselves, then successively growing others in Jesus’ name.