Christian Living

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A Church Divided
Pastor Jarod Cruthis
Covenant Community Church of God


In today’s society there are many different weapons that the enemy is using to cause division and strife in the Church. Although most seasoned saints can identify an attack before it has a chance to cause any major damage, the most damaging are those that aren’t so easily recognized. One of the most destructive weapons that seems to be running rampant in the Church is the destruction of corporate unity. This spirit of division comes in many different forms. Denominational creeds, false doctrine, gossip, man’s opinion, bitterness and jealousy are just a few of the seeds that the enemy is continually planting among believers. Division destroys the unity of the faith and rips apart the very core of who we are. The Bible clearly states in Matthew 12:25, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” It is going to take a group of believers that are willing to lay down all of their religious thinking, before we are going to see true victory over the kingdom of darkness. It amazes me at just how divided we truly are. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not against denominations, in fact, our church was just received into the Church of God. Everyone needs to be part of something that is bigger than just the local body. My point is this, most people get so caught up in the pastor and the particular teachings of their church that they refuse to be open to anything else. I can’t count how many different times I have reached out to various churches with little or no response. There always seems to be some excuse as to why they can’t fellowship with another church. Several times pastors will tell me that the denominational difference will not allow us to minister together or a doctrinal issue gets in the way. I personally believe that we need to be driven more by faith and a desire to see lives changed, than the fear of losing a church member. I have never understood why pastors are so possessive of their church members. These “members” are not ours to possess. They belong to the Body of Christ and we have no right to keep them all to ourselves. I tell my congregation all the time, “If you aren’t growing in your relationship with the Lord at this church, then please find one where you can!” I don’t’ claim to have all the answers but I have a relationship with the One who does. Maybe we as ministers should let go and truly let God back in the drivers seat! It is high time that the Body of Christ understood that it is not the pastor, the church, or man’s interpretation that will get us to Heaven. In fact religion and man’s rules will do nothing more than sow discord and division, and lead people on a road to destruction. I have co-workers, friends, even family members who allow these religious barriers to isolate them from other believers. There is so much confusion among the body today. Some say baptize in Jesus name while others say Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; some sprinkle, some submerge. There are those who believe in the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and those who choose to deny this experience out of fear. Some churches believe in a more quiet and reverent style of worship while others are more charismatic. Many denominations take communion on a weekly basis and some just on special occasions. My questions is this, “Don’t they all have one thing in common?” The answer is yes! They all are based on Jesus Christ and His Word. Does anyone besides me think that it is time to lay down all of the nonsense and join together as one body of believers? Isn’t it time to move outside the walls of our churches into the highways and byways, side by side, hand in hand, joined in the unity of the Spirit? I believe that we, the body of Christ, could change this county and the world if we would just get over man made doctrines and rules that God never intended for us to live by. Unity: a group or unit working together as one for a common purpose! What is your purpose? Let us stand together in unity and destroy this weapon of the enemy called division!

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