Christ is Not Divided

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

The apostle Paul looked upon the landscape of the Corinthian church and penned these words:

"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?" (1 Corinthians 1:12-13)

The "church of God which is at Corinth" manifested their infantile and carnal condition by making and maintaining divisions among themselves (cf. 1 Cor 3:1-4). That being true, what can be said of today's church? There is reported to be approximately 41,000 denominations according to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity (for whatever that is worth). And make no mistake about it, the division goes much further than names on a building. The people are divided over most things pertaining to life and godliness.

All of these sects name the name of Christ...the same Christ who prayed "that they may be one" (Jn 17:11). The rhetorical and sobering question of the apostle must be asked again, "Is Christ divided?" And if not, than how can those who have been joined to Him be divided? The abundance of confusion and discord cries out "an enemy hath done this" (Mt 13:28).

Flesh: the Source of Division. It is categorically stated that division is the work of the flesh, not the spirit. That is, where the people are divided, at least one of the parties are living after the flesh. "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are...variance...strife, seditions" (Gal 5:20). Other versions read "sects" (YLT), "factions" (NIV) and "divisions" (ESV).

One of the deplorable traits of today's church is that it often boasts in its division, supposing it to be a good thing. "We just belong to different traditions," many say. But in Christ, we have been delivered from the traditions of men (1 Pet 1:18) and are admonished about being corrupted by them (Col 2:8). Today men cause separations based on race, age, gender, nationality, just about any distinction imaginable. But there is no benefit to be obtained from these things. The diversity of the church is a source of strength, not a reason for division.

We know no man after the flesh (2 Cor 5:16). Division only occurs where worldly interests are promoted. Where men recognize that they are dead (in the flesh) and their life is hid with Christ in God (Col 3:3) there is no need to speak about fleshly things or earthly interests. The multitude of divisions betrays the carnal condition of the people. "For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" (1 Cor 3:3). Where this is the case, it is as though the Corinthian church has been resurrected.

Be Zealous and Repent. It is high time for all believers everywhere to throw off their carnal distinctions and grow up in Christ. "Brethren, be not children in understanding...in understanding be men" (1 Cor 14:20). God does not see men as those who are "of Paul" or "of Apollos" or "of Cephas." God does not recognize men as being "of Luther" or "of Wesley" or "of Campbell," and neither should we. Let everyone who is born of God reason this way, "ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's" (1 Cor 3:23).

"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," and He is not divided. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body...and have been all made to drink into one Spirit" (1 Cor 12:12-13). How can this union, that has been brought about in Christ, be destroyed by men? "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Mk 10:9). Walk no more after the flesh. Think no more as a child. Consider one another with the mind of Christ and enjoy sweet fellowship as those alive from the dead.

Christ: the Source of Unity. When men are joined to Christ they are also joined to one another. Christ, the Prince of Peace, makes all those in Him "one." "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28). Oneness, is not something to be pursued, but something to be acknowledged. We are not called to work toward being one but to recognize that WE ARE ONE.

In Christ we are "one fold" with "one Shepherd" (Jn 10:16). We have been "called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ" and therefore God expects that we "all speak the same thing, and that there be no division among [us]; but that [we] be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Cor 1:9-10). I question whether such a thing is even possible in the flesh. But it is absolutely possible in the spirit. For, God had promised concerning His people, "I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you" (Ezek 11:19) and God has fulfilled this promise in the salvation which is in Christ Jesus: "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul" (Acts 4:32). Unity among the brethren is the work of an exalted Christ, and indwelling Spirit, and a satisfied Father. The work of men is to endeavor to "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph 4:3).

"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you" (2 Cor 13:11). We have good reason to praise God because Christ is not divided.