Praise & Pray

It is normal for people to gather in groups. Look at God, for instance. He isn't alone. He has Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and all the heavenly host with Him. He made it a point of not letting Adam be alone and created Eve to be his companion. However, while indeed "it is not good that man be alone," how Christians gather is important to the Lord (Genesis 2:18). He doesn't want them dividing into groups that are opposed to other believers. He doesn't want them sequestering into camps where people feel they are better than other believers. He wants His children to beware of joining factions.

Paul warned about factions in his letter to the Corinthian Church. He noted that divisive groups had formed, and they quarreled about who they identified with in the faith. 1 Corinthians 1:12 - What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Paul warned them to stop and reminded them that the only person they needed to have such staunch support for was the one who was crucified - Jesus.

In this day and age, many of us Christians have become like those Corinthians. We, too, have divided ourselves into factions. We argue about which pastor is better or which church is better. Some of us even do it as a joke, forgetting that we will be held accountable for even our idle words. We don't realize that factions are among the acts of the flesh in Galatians 5. They include idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, jealousy, sexµal immorality, self-ambition, drunkenness, and fits of rage. The Bible warns that those who live according to the acts of the flesh will not get to heaven (Galatians 5:19-21).

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We Christians are very familiar with many of the other acts of the flesh, but overlook the word on joining factions. Being a part of such groups might seem like fun at first, but that's the thing about sin. It is sweet and satisfies the flesh. It can start off as something little then snowball into a stronghold. When we start arguing and allow dissension to rise over allegiance to men and women, are we not mocking the sacrifice of Christ? Any spiritual leader who is truly called by the Lord should be someone led by the Spirit of God. They therefore should not take credit for anything they share or teach.

Ask yourself, would the Holy Spirit want us divided on the basis of what leaders we listen to or which church we attend?

As believers in Christ who obey His instructions, we must remember that we are all part of one Body. There may be differences between the various parts of that Body, and God made it that way. Just as our hands don't disregard or insult our legs for not being hands, we must be careful how we deal with and speak about our fellow believers. Let us not engage with each other the way the unbelievers do when they gather in their factions. They may be petty, use foul language, and speak ungraciously about one another. However, the Lord has not called us to imitate the world. He has instead called us to emulate His Son, who obeyed Him and was pleasing to Him. May the good Lord help us all, IJMN, Amen.

As you wait for fellowship at 12 Noon EST, consider giving your life to Christ with the Altar Call video below and reading the following previous P&P messages:

1. Imitate Good

2. Speaking of Leaders

3. Dear Peppers 2: Don't Quit

4. 1 Peter 2:17

5. Complete Respect (1 Peter 2:18)

6. Christian, Guard Your Tongue

7. Pray For Godly Leaders

8. Dear Peppers: The Uneven Exchange

9. Unserious Christians