Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 

                                                                                                            1 Corinthians 1:10 

It has been going on since the church began some 2000 years ago. Mankind has found seemingly unlimited ways to divide what is not to be divided…the church. Whether it is personal preference, tradition, or long held beliefs, we find ways to divide ourselves doctrinally, denominationally, and theologically. But Paul tells us that there should be “no divisions” among believers.

What’s at stake is completion. The church is made complete when believers gather together with the same mind and the same judgment. There is really nothing more powerful than unity among individuals who agree. To have friends who are like-minded creates a bond that is not easily broken. The church is made complete when it guards against divisions.

But the unbelieving world today would probably not describe the Christian church as a unified, single entity. With all of the “flavors” of Christianity available today, it’s no wonder so many people are confused as to what the church is and in whom they can trust. To merely lead people to an intellectual, doctrinal understanding of the faith is to fall short of the gospel. The church is not on earth to lead people to tradition or doctrine or theological precepts only rather we are here to lead people to Jesus. Unless a person comes into a saving relationship with the Savior, they remain lost.

So why do we have all of these divisions? Perhaps the answer is found in Paul’s description of the early church. Consider the following:

For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you.

                                                                                                            1 Corinthians 1:11  

These people were fighting. They couldn’t see eye to eye on matters of faith. They were allowing something to get in the way of Christian unity. So what were they arguing about? What is it that we can learn from them in order to prevent us from making the same mistakes? Consider this: 

Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 

                                                                                                            1 Corinthians 1:12 

Paul was the very man writing this letter. He was a missionary, carrying the gospel to the Gentile nations. Apollos is perhaps the lesser known of the names mentioned in this list but he was apparently highly respected as a leader of the early church. Cephas is none other than Peter, a disciple of Jesus and one of the men closest to Him during His earthly ministry. And then there is Jesus Himself. So what was it about these four people that were dividing these believers? The answer is that they were dividing themselves by using a person’s name to define their spiritual identity. Other than the name of Jesus, this should never be. But it still happens today.

We all have our favorite pastors and teachers. Perhaps we read books from a particular theological leaning to the exclusion of others. Perhaps we quote from these men more than we quote from scripture. Perhaps we even idolize some of them, putting them on pedestals that they don’t deserve and don’t ask to be placed. We can place too much emphasis on the messenger while losing sight of the message. This is the danger of using a man’s name (other than Jesus) as one’s source of spiritual identity.

But individuals are not the only way in which people define themselves spiritually. Denominational names are also a point of identification for many. “I’m a Baptist” or “I’m a Catholic” or “I’m a Methodist” are often descriptions given by fellow believers. For some, it is the traditions of these particular denominations that become their spiritual identity. Comfort ability, familiarity, and routine can often be embraced to the exclusion of growth in faith and “stretching” oneself spiritually.

But Paul makes his plea to us as he poses the rhetorical question: “Has Christ been divided?” (1 Corinthians 1:13a) The obvious answer is “no.” There is no division in the church other than what mankind has developed. In the eyes of God, there are two groups of people in this world: believers and unbelievers, the saved and the lost (John 3:18). All other distinctions are the creation of mankind and usually serve to divide rather than to unify.

We have a choice. We can extend the hand of friendship and unity to those who also proclaim the name of Jesus or we can retreat into the safety and security of our own theological corners. What’s at stake is the unity and effectiveness of the church in reaching the world with the good news and pointing them to the Savior, Jesus Christ!

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

                                                                                                               Ephesians 4:1-3 

There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

                                                                                                                 Ephesians 4:4-6