Praize Blogs

Matthew 18:20For where two or three are
gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Jesus is very
interested in unity among His followers. There will be no disunity in eternity
and we are to practice this now in preparation for a heavenly home.

Romans 12:10Be kindly affectioned
one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

As with every
commandment of God, we will have opposition. People are very determined to get
their own way, even to the point of death. Self rule is the number one cause of
contention today. We have people literally killing themselves to get their own
way.

The bible
teaching is to give people their own way and warn them about the consequences
of their actions; but don’t force them to our way of doing things. God is the
eventual final judge and will decide the outcome of a person’s faithfulness or
faithlessness.

Because people
can easily be led, God has called leaders, teachers and preachers from His
people to be examples, and instructors to the faithful.

1Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the
church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that
miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

1Corinthians 12:25That
there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have
the same care one for another.

The whole purpose
is for us to grow strong together and be a united force for God’s goodness. A
house, church, business, army, mob or group is only strong if they agree
together; weather it is for good or bad.

Matthew 12:25And Jesus knew their
thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought
to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

All church splits
are caused by division and all denominations were at one time a church split.
God hates division and has given us scripture against doing such things.
Division is the end product of contention; an end that weakens rather than
strengthening God’s people.

Ephesians 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of
the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Each Christian is
responsible to work towards the unity of the church and obey those who God has
called in leadership over His people.

The leaders also
have a responsibility to conduct themselves as befitting their calling.

Hebrews 13:17Obey them that have the rule
over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that
must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is
unprofitable for you.

It is by obeying
those that God has placed over us and watching out for those of our group that
we show God’s love in His church.

1Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind,
having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be
courteous:

1John 5:2 By this we know that we love the
children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

At the same time,
those same efforts can be used to separate us from the rest of God’s people by
contention between groups; like dividing up into teams and then competing
against each other; the old ‘we are better than them’ attitude.

Proverbs 13:10Only by pride cometh
contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

 God only has one church and one people even
though it flows through many Nations, organizations and churches. You can be a
part of His church where you are or you can be against it in the middle of the
fieriest revival.

God’s corporation
has many competitors and they will offer you some really interesting things and
importance to switch sides. “You will be right” they will tell you, “You can
belong to a popular church.” they will say or “We are all switching.” may tempt
you to go somewhere else.

God called you
where you are and He will expect you to work there or HE will move you. If you
move on your own, for whatever reason you come up with, remember that you are
moving away from God.

God will be in
the middle of His church doing the work that He wants done. If you’re not there
then YOU have moved to the wrong spot, no matter how ‘right’ you convince
yourself that it is.

God wants His
church to be working with those who need Him, fellowshipping with those who
have Him.