The Word | Daily Bread MAR/27/12 |
| Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen |
| Tuesday, 27 March 2012 13:19 |
|
1 Corinthians 11:17-18 - Now with these instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. To begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it. There are several important points that must be made at the onset, if we want to better understand the instruction that Paul has given to the church. First our gathering together as a church is a fellowship and a communion - one which goes beyond just partaking of the elements of communion (1 Corinthians 5:7-8). The fellowship and the communion of the church is discovered in the unification of each individual into the body of Christ; in which we become members one of another (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 10:17; 1 Corinthians 12:12,20; 1 Corinthians 12:25,27; Ephesians 4:25; Ephesians 5:30; Colossians 3:15). The Spirit of the Lord has baptized us all into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27). It is up to each one of us to so yield ourselves in such a way as to mind the same things and speak the same thing, so as to be perfectly joined together in love (1 Corinthians 1:10; Romans 15:6; Philippians 2:2). Secondly, if divisions are allowed, then going to church is not a good thing; it is bad. Through such spiritual violations not only do the individuals bring a damnation on themselves, but the name of Jesus is polluted by misrepresentation. The greatest offense and violation against the fellowship of the saints is division. We must all recognize that God is devoted to a holy union - that he has made us a part of (John 17:21-23; John 6:56; John 14:23). The precedence that is set for as to how the Holy Spirit will move among us is found on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1). We are commanded to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; and we must recognize that if we don't, then we are giving place to an evil and opposite spirit: the spirit of division (Ephesians 4:3; Psalm 133:1; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 3:3; Romans 16:17; James 3:14). As much as the Holy Spirit unifies and unites, an evil spirit divides and separates. |
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