Division
So there was a division among the people because of Him. John 7: 43.
Have you ever wondered why there are so many denominations of churches in the world today? Seriously, it is crazy that in America alone, there are over 30,000. That is insane. How is the body of Christ supposed to be a bride when she is in so many pieces. It is like she has been broken and now she tries to be effective in the world operating out of all her broken pieces.
However, as sad as the picture of a broken bride is, division in God’s people is not a new concept. Even before the foundation of the church there were divisions in God’s people. In Jesus’ day, there were the priests, the Pharisees and the Sadducees. There were also elders and scribes. They all believed in the same God, but their doctrines were based on what the could understand and figure out, not on God’s Word, or at least not solely on His Word.
In today’s reading, the crowd of people were trying to figure out who Jesus was. They knew a little of the scripture. Enough to know that the Messiah was to be from Bethlehem. They talked among themselves to try to understand and justify who He was. Maybe a prophet or maybe the Christ? The passage doesn’t say that they actually argued, but it does say there was a division which implies a disagreement. Some took one side and others took another stance. Even if they would have asked Jesus and He told them, they still would have had different ideas. That is just the way that people are.
This is the reason it is so important to have a standard to align your life with. That standard is the Word of God. Today, we have access to God’s word on a continual basis. It is unlimited. You would think that would be enough to bring God’s people into agreement, but sadly God’s word is often used to fit people instead of being used to change and grow His people. There is another gift God has given the church today and that is the gift of the Holy Spirit. As I mentioned yesterday, the Holy Spirit was not available to all of God’s people the way He is today. He is truly a gift that has been given to the church and when we all yield completely to His leading, we will come together in agreement. That is when the Bride of Christ will be blameless, and without spot or wrinkle.
Today I want to encourage you to look for points of agreement with others in the body of believers. We do have some common ground and when we focus on that instead of correcting one another, we can begin to follow the leading of God’s spirit today in agreement. We believe in the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all unrighteousness. We believe that Jesus is the only way and door to the Father. (John 14:6) and we all believe that God love the world so much that He gave His One and only Son so that anyone who believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. When you meet other Christians who may be of another denomination than yours, look for the common ground and celebrate God’s great love for the world. As we begin to do this, the Holy Spirit will heal the broken pieces of Jesus’ bride and we will be whole and complete with nothing missing or broken.
Today’s scripture reading: John 7:40-44
40 Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.”
41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee?
42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”
43 So there was a division among the people because of Him.
44 Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.
The Daily Dose 