Is Christ Divided

Dear Brethren,

What is the state of the Church of God today?  If we were to look at the state of the Body of Christ today from a physician's perspective, we would have to say that the body is very weak and sickly.  The separate parts are not working together for the health of the body as Christ intended.  Do we know the answer to Paul's question?

"Is Christ divided?"  (1Corinthians 1:13)

"For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep."  (1Corinthians 11:30)

"For as we have many members in one body… So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." (Romans 12:4-5)

We are one body in Christ.  It is not God's will that the members of His body be in opposition with one another.  Christ is not divided.   We all know that - do we not?  But, do we understand this - the Body of Christ, His Church, is not divided?  This is a true statement that must be pondered.  "The Church of God is not divided."  According to the Holy Scriptures - there is only one Church - it is the one Body of Christ.

"There is…One Lord, one faith, one baptism." (Ephesians 4:5)

This most certainly means that those who will comprise the Bride of Christ will not be divided.  Jesus will marry only one wife.  The Body of Christ, is the Church of God.  Multiple times this concept of "one body" is solidly established in Scripture:

"…For His [Christ’s] body's sake, which is the Church."   (Colossians 1:24)

"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body... and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."  (1Corinthians 12:13)

"You are the Body of Christ, and members in particular."  (1Corinthians 12:27)

"…The Church, which is His body." (Ephesians 1:22-23)

 "You are Christ's."  (1Corinthians 3:23)

The called out ones, led by God's Holy Spirit, are the Church of God - The Church of God is the Body of Christ - Christ is not divided - Therefore, if we are Christ's - we, too, cannot be divided!  Are we not the one True Church – where then is our unity?  How is it that we have failed to have the remarkable unity Christ desires in us?  Given this dire picture, what is God's view of the many Church splinter groups that we have today?  It is common to see people in various groups virtually at war with one another.  Some promote the concept that their particular group encompasses the entire body of Christ.  To our shame, division among the groups abounds.   Since the Body of Christ is not divided we must ask the question, "Will those who foster and sustain division within the Church of God remain a part of the undivided Body of Christ?"  It is a fair question that must be asked.

One major pitfall of the splintering is that people of the world cannot recognize us as Christ's people due to the infighting that is going on.  As Christians from all groups, we need to realize that we can be a powerful force for God's will, or against it, according to how we discern the Body of Christ.  The true Body of Christ is not made up of various groups - that is not the proper way for us to think.  We must recognize that the true Body of Christ consists of all that have been given the Spirit of God.  Corporate boundaries do not enter into the definition.

What is the purpose of the Body of Christ?  And what can we do today to ensure that we not only properly discern the body, but are functioning in it according to how God has set us in the Body?  God established the Body of Christ to nurture us - so that they we may develop into mature Christians.

"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."  (Eph. 4:15-16)

We cannot cast away any of those whom God has called into the body.  He gives each  Christian gifts that contribute to the well being of the entire Body of Christ, helping it to become more spiritually healthy and draw closer to Him.  God’s Church is to be a nurturing environment wherein the "least" member is able to provide necessities of importance to all the body.  We are all meant to carry one another’s burdens. The gifts of God are meant to be helpful to everyone – not just to benefit the one to whom God has given the gift.

"The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit everyone."  Corinthians 12:7)

There is a distinguished group of people in the Church who have a very special role - not so easily recognized.  God has allowed certain members to be frail or to have serious health problems for a very special reason.  God says we need them!  "Those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary."  He knows that the Body grows closer together when we pray for one another.  God has given us a natural affection, a compassion, a love for the saints with special needs. 

"Those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; 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 honor 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."  (I Corinthians 12:22-25)

By praying and serving those who are ill, or having financial problems, or in need, we grow closer to those brethren, and to the Body of Christ in general.  Hereby, we recognize the contribution these brethren give to the Body.  By being the "less honorable" members in the body, we are able to honor them through our prayers and the help that we provide them.  It is interesting to note that each of us, at one time or another, has been in a dire situation, needing the prayers of others, and has therefore been one of the "less honorable" members.  How could the saints learn to love and serve if no one had any special needs?  We all benefit when we reach out to those in their time of need.

Often God blesses those who are sick or going through severe trials with the less visible special gifts, such as faith, hope and love.  We need to respond to their needs by desiring the most important gift of all, Godly love, and then using that gift to serve all the members of the Body - no matter where they are.

It is especially important in this time of scattering to properly discern the Body of Christ and do whatever we can to promote unity within the Body.  We need to covet love for all Christians and practice it.  Corporate and organizational lines are not barriers to that love.   Jesus Christ has one body - the Lord's Body.  When his Father looks from his heavenly throne onto His Church, He sees one Church of God.  It is God's will that we all be one.  By so doing, and becoming one with our neighbor, we are fulfilling His law.  "Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."  (Romans 13:10)

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