Unity in Christ: division in the church

As Christians, we are called to be one in Christ, but unfortunately, church history has been marked by division and schisms. In the First Epistle to the Corinthians, Paul addresses a community that was divided and asks them: "Is Christ divided?" This question is just as relevant today as it was centuries ago. In this post, we'll explore what the Bible teaches us about unity in Christ and church division.

The first thing the Bible teaches us about unity in Christ is that we are all one in Christ. In Galatians 3:28, it says: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." There should be no distinction of race, class or gender in the church, for we are all equal in Christ.

What's more, the Bible teaches us that we are all members of the same body, the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, Paul writes: "For as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so is Christ." We are all called to play different roles in the body of Christ, but each of us is important and necessary.

Division in the church often comes from pride and a claim to spiritual superiority. When we value our own opinion and tradition above those of others, we create divisions. Paul also addressed this issue in 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, where he exhorts the Corinthians to unite in the same spirit and mind. It is crucial that we renounce our own pride so that the church can grow together in unity.

Division can also arise from an inability to forgive and reconcile with our brothers and sisters in Christ. In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus taught that if someone has something against you, you must first reconcile with that person before offering your offering to God.

Reconciliation is essential for the unity of the church, and I believe that if every Christian were willing to forgive and reconcile, we could avoid many conflicts.

The Bible is clear that unity in Christ is essential to the health of the church. We are all one in Christ, members of the same body, and called to live in unity. Division in the church is often the consequence of pride, claims to spiritual superiority, and lack of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Let us pray that we may all follow Christ's example in our attitude towards others, and work together to maintain unity in the church.

May God bless you