Unity in the Body, Division

 There is one reason to divide.

We have been talking about the unity of the body of Christ. AKA The Church. We have discussed the reasons and the importance of being of one mind, as we are one body. We talked about how we can, and often do, have some differences of opinion and or preference of styles of worship, yet these are not reasons to divide the Church over. This brings us to this. Is there any reason that the Church should divide over?

Well? I can think of one absolute. The Word declares this.

"But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough." 2 Corinthians 11:3-4

Jesus IS the only answer to any question in any faith-based belief system. The Gospel is it. Not a form of the Gospel. Not a version of the Gospel. Not your opinion of what the Gospel means. THE GOSPEL.

God created all things. We sinned and gave our authority to the devil. God became man and walked with us. Here, turn to John 1: 1-4, 14-18

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men."

Then?

"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ From His fullness, we have all received grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known."

Jesus. God, the creator of all things, became a man, His name with us was Jesus. Translated. He lived sin-free but became sin for us. He was slaughtered for us and raised from the dead, so that we may live. There is nothing else to it.

There was even division over Jesus back then. {John 7:40-43} 

Jesus IS THE "Lamb of God" {John 1:29}, THE "Living Water" {John 4:10}, THE "Messiah and Christ" {John4:26}, THE "Bread of Life" {John 6:35}, THE "Light of the World" {John 8:12} THE "Great I AM" {John 8:58}, THE "Good Shepard" "THE Gate, Door" {John 10} Which caused more division, THE "Resurrection and the Life" {John 11:25} Stop right there for a second.

"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”"

We could go on and on. But we are warned that this time was coming. Jesus Himself told us this.

"“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." Matthew 7:15

We read this is in 2 Peter 2:1

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction."

Jesus is it. He is what the entire Bible, old testament and new, are all about. If you are in a church, and they start teaching acceptance of sin? I would think about talking with the Pastor and feeling out his heart. If they start talking about the "Prosperity Gospel"? Again, I would have to think about if that is a church for me. But if they are teaching Jesus, there is hope in the church. If not? RUN!.

There are differences in opinion and differences in styles of worship. Some are more supernatural than others. Some are more charismatic than others. Some have a belief in Biblical diets and some do not. ETC. Remember, Jesus said this.

"For the one who is not against us is for us." Mark 9:40

However? Without Jesus? There is no other way. There is no God without Jesus. He IS God. If you hear anyone try to tell you otherwise, remember this warning in Galatians 1:8

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed."

Paul is saying even if we, the Saints, Paul himself, Peter, he said even an Angel, was to come to you and start preaching anything other than Jesus, they are accursed and should be seen as such. There is nothing without Jesus.

If you are in a church, and you are feeling like something may be out of place, I have a suggestion for you. Pray. Ask God if that is the church that He wants you in. Or is there another? But if the church you are in, or are looking to join, does not have Jesus as the cornerstone? RUN! Get far away. As fast as you can.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed that He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!