Things We Should Divide Over
GodWords #124: When Unity Isn't Possible
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» Mark wanted to know more about the reasons Christians should separate from our brothers and sisters… so that’s this week’s subject. Thanks, Mark!
The New Testament is filled with instructions about unity. The Body of Christ should not be divided. We’re to be in one accord… heading in the same direction, sharing the same values and goals.
There are times, however, when that’s not possible. Sometimes we have to do the uncomfortable thing and separate from one another. It’s always unfortunate, but it’s sometimes undeniably required. This isn’t an opinion of mine. There are clear instructions in the Bible about when to call it quits. Here’s a partial list.
Another Gospel
We should not allow those who call themselves Christian, but teach another gospel, to spread that other gospel in our churches. Jude 1:3 points out that we should contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. To not do so is to betray those in our care, and to diminish Jesus’ own life and teaching.
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!
Galatians 1:6-8
Unrepentant Immorality
Most churches will never do this, but we must protect one another from the idea that Christians can live like the unsaved and still enjoy uninhibited fellowship with the Body of Christ. The goal is not punishment. The goal is restoration, and God’s instructions tell us that separation is an important step. Paul wrote this to the church in Corinth:
I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
1 Corinthians 5:11
… and here’s the follow-up, showing restoration for the repentant:
The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. 2 Corinthians 2:6-8
Useless Quarreling
We’re not talking about simple disagreements here. We’re talking about ongoing distractions caused by people whose focus is on debating their brothers and sisters and driving a wedge between those in our congregations.
Avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.
Titus 3:9-10
Being Idle and Disruptive
Believe it or not, simply attending church isn’t the goal. The goal is for those who follow Jesus to learn, to grow, and to work to accomplish Jesus’ command to make disciples. Those in our churches who serve no one but create distractions and division are, if they refuse to be corrected, to be avoided for the good of all.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.
2 Thessalonians 3:6
Denying Jesus’ Teaching
This week I heard from someone who denies that Jesus was ever a man. They believe that Jesus is God, but that’s all. It may seem impolite to say so, but that person is a deceiver, and antichrist. Denying that Jesus came in the flesh - and denying what both Jesus and His disciples taught explicitly - should cause us to not include such people in our fellowship. We should try to show them their error, but we should not ignore their error and pretend that they’re on the right track.
I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist... If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.
2 John 1:7-11
We Don’t Divide Over Disputable Matters.
Not everything requires this kind of separation. In addition to our instructions for when to separate, there are also instructions for unity. The “disputable matters” are not the kind of thing that would keep someone from being in a right relationship with God… things like dietary restrictions and sabbath days (Romans 14) and observing Jewish feasts (Colossians 2). These are disputable, and we’re not to let them come between us.
I love you all.
❤️
Follow Without Seeing, Die Without Receiving
Abraham never heard Jesus’ name. Rahab didn’t know the full extent of the gospel. Even David and Solomon and Elijah only knew part of the story. As the writer of Hebrews points out, “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.”
The Resurrection’s Centrality
Every once in a while, someone will claim that Paul’s gospel is incomplete… that he focuses on the cross, but forgets Jesus’ resurrection. Keep in mind that Peter called Paul’s writings Scripture, and then take another look at what Paul actually wrote.
The Danger of Interpreting God’s Word With Our Feelings
How many times has a Bible study leader or Sunday School teacher asked, “How do you feel about this passage?” It’s one thing to ask about our response, but we should never use our feelings as a filter for understanding what God wants us to know.
Evangelism Is Not a Thing You Do
Tripp of Stand to Reason reminds us that evangelism and discipleship are not two different missions. They are one unified way of life.
Humble Yourself
2nd Chapter of Acts, a brother and two sisters, were Jesus Music pioneers. Most of the music they created would be a great start for a discipleship program. If you’re not familiar with them, start here.
Lyrics and links at Awesome Christian Music.
Don't worry or fret, you'll get what you need
The flowers He clothes, the sparrow He feeds
And you will receive a greater reward
By putting you faith and trust in the Lord
What one generation tolerates, the next generation will embrace.
– John Wesley
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Thanks for digging deeper into my question. It reinforces some things I already do, but also highlights some things I need to work on.
there are some very good reminders here regarding just Biblical cause to separate from a congregation or church organization. thank you for sharing this! 8-)
yet, the church of believers just over ~2000 years has regularly divided over doctrines to the point where there are supposedly nearly 50,000 different denominations. i can’t even imagine that, but it’s the data we currently have.
so the reality is that the body of Christ has become divided over various doctrines, not merely specific acts of certain sins which are clearly identified within the Bible. and of course, thee days various congregations have embraced various sexual sins, inadvertently teaching their brethren that welcoming sin into God’s presence is a form of showing love.
to many, gender confusion is also a “disputable matter”. in my experience, many doctrines have been made into “disputable matters” which aren’t Biblically exemplified at all as being “disputable” to God at all.
for example, when someone claims “observing Jewish feasts are disputable”, a couple things come to mind — primarily, that the Sabbaths and appointed times given to Israel are NOT of the “Jews”. in fact, Judaism wasn’t even in existence when God gave His holy laws. in fact, neither was the tribe of Judah. so there should be no confusion over the fact that they are God’s feasts, not of any human origin.
while humankind may dispute over these clear instructions given by God, they are certainly not disputable to God. the scriptures are clear about them being God’s (Leviticus 23:2). the same thing goes for the dietary laws.
one of the largest mistakes churches have made is ignoring the fact that all laws given to ancient Israel are of God, not of man, and that God’s laws are for both Israel and Gentiles (Exodus 12:49).
it can be relatively easy to maintain church participation for those who observe the dietary laws in a congregation that doesn’t. however, it’s kind of impossible to maintain church participation for those who observe God’s Sabbaths and appointed times with a church congregation who doesn’t observe them… is it not? after all, they are holy convocations which occur on entirely different days.
i suppose one could elect to observe both God’s appointed times and man’s appointed times as well in resistance of separating from said congregation, but that would seem to be overly taxing on most individuals.
another point of consideration regarding any of God’s laws being “disputable”, is to consider what sin actually is: the transgression of God’s laws (1John 3:4). therefore, as we break a law of God, we sin. repentance of sin is required in order to cease the transgression of God’s laws.
i’ve always found it contradictory how a mainstream Christian church can elevate the RCC doctrine of trinity to the point of being salvation dependent while there is not one Biblical verse which explicitly exemplifies God as such nor any specific believe about the Godhead, yet simultaneously rejects God’s Sabbaths and appointed times which are explicitly given as God’s law. that makes no sense to me whatsoever, but hey… i suppose the modern church can believe and do whatever it desires.
and then the common mistake among many Sabbatarian Christians is to criticize and/or condemn their mainstream brothers & sisters in Christ, which also runs in opposition of God’s will.
sadly, there exists ongoing division within both mainstream and Sabbatarian congregations.
i remain convinced that this side of Jesus’ return when the resurrection (& “rapture”) occurs, while i long for more unity and an end to all the division, it’s simply not going to happen.
however, we can certainly strive to better show love and kindness, along with the rest of the fruit of the Spirit, to not only our fellow brothers & sisters of different church congregations or denominations, but also to the unbeliever.
Godbless… 🙏🏼😎❤️♾️