Division in the Church

The Church in Corinth was plagued by divisiveness. In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul addresses these divisions and pleads for the church to be of one mind and purpose. He closes his second letter with an appeal for the same thing. Paul wants to see the Spirit equip and sustain God’s church. 

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.  2 Corinthians 13:11-14 ESV

In Paul’s closing remarks to the church in Corinth, he tells them to do five things in verse 11. Let’s explore them.

1. Paul tells the Corinthians to REJOICE: Paul calls the Corinthians to rejoice and recognize that in Christ they are well provided for in every moment. It’s worth celebrating!!
2. Paul tells the Corinthians to aim for RESTORATION: This restoration would include any ongoing sins that needs to be addressed. Paul wants to see the division in the Corinthian church restored. 
3. Paul wants the Corinthians to COMFORT: Paul wants to see the rifts that were created in the Corinthian church healed. Comforting one another is a call to the Corinthian church to build each other up. 
4. Paul tells them to AGREE: Paul wants to see the Corinthian church to be of one mind and one purpose. This call to agree isn’t about uniformity, but about being united in Christ. 
5. Paul wants the Corinthians to live in PEACE: The Holy Spirit brings peace, and what Paul is saying is that the body of Christ should be marked by peace. 

I’m going to go out on a limb right now and say that the American Church body is acting a lot like the Corinthians. There is division – and we’re not living in peace. These are absolutely crazy times we’re living in, and everyone is stressed and confused, but we have to do better. The political polarization we see going on in the church is divisive and hurting people and families. Churches are being destroyed and pastors are being attacked. The American Church is not setting an example of peace or allowing the Holy Spirit to transform it. Thankfully, Paul tells us exactly what to do. 

Let’s be a church that rejoices in what Christ is doing. Let’s be a church that aims for restoration Let’s see sin addressed and rifts mended! Let’s comfort one another and build each other up. Let us be of one mind and one purpose which is Christ! Let us live in peace.