I once preached in a city that had a Catholic church, a Methodist church, a Baptist church, a Presbyterian church, a Community church, and a church of Christ all within a city block. Literally, thousands of people who claimed to have allegiance to Jesus, met in separate buildings within shouting distance of each other, some sharing the same parking lots, but separating from each other when it came time to worship the One we all said we loved.
Whenever I think of this situation, I think back to 1 Corinthians 1:10-17. First-century Corinth was experiencing something very similar to what we were experiencing in modern times. The believers in Christ were also divided in Corinth, some saying, “I am of Paul,” “I am of Apollos,” “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” The inspired apostle Paul wasted no time to condemn this situation and charged them to be united, to speak the same things, and to be of the same mind and judgment (1 Corinthians 1:10).
But here we are, two thousand years later, continuing to turn a deaf ear to an inspired spokesman of God, while at the same time, feeling no angst over the religious division that exists.
Please accept these words of advice.
Never grow content with the division that exists. The fact that we have never known it any other way, doesn’t mean it is the way it should be. It’s divisive! It’s unbiblical! And, it’s sinful! Don’t be a part of it! You may never be able to change others, but may the Lord find you among those who were trying to change others when he returns.
If you consider yourself a follower of Jesus, stop wearing the name Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Methodist, and “Church of Christer” (whatever that is). These designations are divisive. We should be Christians and Christians only (Acts 11:26). Let us be the same body of people, undivided by various sects, joined together through a common obedience to the gospel, by going back to the Bible and living under the authority of God’s word in all we say and do.
Wouldn’t it be nice to enter a town, and when you inquire about religion, someone on the street corner could simply point and tell you, “The Christians meet over there.”