Divided People

"I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name" (1 Corinthians 1:10-17).

When I first started teaching, we (male teachers) got together and played basketball. We played a lot. We had access to the gym, joined a league, and played about three times a week including game day. One time, we were in the finals, and the guy who was "coaching" us gave me specific instructions:

"Play as aggressively as you normally play, but foul 'Cadillac' a few times on purpose. That will make him mad, and then his team will disintegrate." I did as he instructed, and like clockwork, the team started yelling at one another and playing sloppy. We won. They divided easily and over little.

Paul, of this world, knows how easily people divide. We are followers, like it or not. We are sheep, according to Jesus. Sheep follow any voice at any time. Paul, follower of Christ, knows this and intentionally chooses to make sure he doesn't baptize. Why? Because he knows the weight some people will put on their "faith" based on who baptizes them. Christ is recorded being baptized but not baptizing. Could you imagine the record keeping in Christian circles and the lines forming to be baptized by someone in Christ's lineage?

We divide over fewer substantive issues today, in life and in faith. Someone isn't ____ enough. He's a ___ in name only. He's a supporter of ___. In faith, we hear similar issues. For example, in our own church body nationally, the divisions are clear. You aren't a real Lutheran if you don't or do.... 

Satan loves division. Christ points that out in Matthew 12:

"23And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?"

How much time do we waste on issues that have little to do with salvation or the mission of the church given to us by Christ to make disciples? How much time is wasted debating and not fishing for men? 

Pray we focus on the mission of the church and do that for which we are commanded: make disciples. Pray that we seek God's Will and his Spirit to use us to make disciples. Pray we follow God's Word faithfully and use his Word to bring a healing message of grace to this world. Amen