[Biblemat] A) WHY RELIGIOUS DIVISION?

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  A very good Monday
morning to each and everyone.  May God bless you and yours.
It is good to be back at my computer again after a few days away.
Here is an article from my files:

WHY RELIGIOUS DIVISION?

     Jesus Christ, the Son of God, just prior to dying on the
cross, prayed, "I do not pray for these alone, but also for
those who will believe in Me through their word: that they all
may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they
also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You
sent Me" (Jno. 17:20,21).  Yet, today we see religious division
everywhere!  Why?

     There are many reasons that the followers of Christ are not united.  
Let's consider some things that the apostle Paul
presents as causes of division in his first letter to the Cornin-
thians.

     The First Reason For Division is: -- following some one 
other than Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:10-13).  In this text Paul calls the 
Corinthians Christians to unity by telling them all to
speak the same thing, be of the same mind, and of the same
judgment.  Also, through a series of questions he helps them
to see that the only person through which this is possible is
Jesus Christ.

     The Second Thing Paul Attributes To Division is: -- carnal-
ity (i.e. a fleshly mind rather than a spiritual one, 1 Cor. 3:1-
11).  Pride and position get in the way of unity in Christ.  Knowing that 
Jesus is our Foundation and that everyone else
is just a servant helps us to be humble in all things.  We have
spiritual minds when we humbly build everything upon Jesus
and His Word.

     The Third Situation That Caused Division With The Corint-
hians Was: -- the keeping of the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11:17-
34).  These Christians were making the communion of Christ
a common meal, and mistreating each other in serving that
meal.  They were not making a distinction between what was
to be done at home and what was to be done in the assembly
of the saints.  They were not discerning the body and blood
of Christ.  They were not showing common courtesy when 
coming together to praise and worship God.

     All these things contributed to the division in the church
at Corinth.  These Christians simply failed to allow Jesus and
His Word to be the center of their focus.  ---- Ron Drumm.
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