No Divisions

1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT
I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

I read this scripture and it brought to mind all the competition I see between Christian churches wherever I go. Often it is more about members than conversions. How many are coming to our church on Sunday mornings? My church offers more for you, so come here instead of where you are going. Church swapping is part of our Christian culture.

I believe the church he mentions in this scripture is not referring to organizations, but people. There was only one church back then and that was a body of believers gathering together, encouraging and supporting each other in their walk with Christ.

There was no organizational building with names like Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Church of God, Assembly of God, Pentecostal, Non-denominational... All with their own sets rules disguised with the name "doctrine".

As we separate ourselves from these buildings to reach out in the the community, we should be promoting only one thing. And that is Christ crucified so we could walk in the Father's unending love and grace. We touch other in the name of Jesus and not in the name of the organization we attend weekly worship at.

We promote Jesus by being a living example of who we are in Christ. We testify to who Jesus is in us and tell them how to have the same relationship by asking Jesus into their heart. By telling them how to be born again. Not by promoting our great "church" so we can get them there to hear the preacher and maybe get saved.

We march forth daily as the army of God being an example of a follower of Jesus. Our T-shirts should read "I follow Jesus" rather then "I attend XXX church". Promote the Kingdom of God for it is near. Go forth as one army,undivided to reach the lost and help the needy.