SHAMEFUL DIVISIONS

Last week, I was blindsided by a Christian buzzsaw. I listened to two wonderful sermons from a Protestant pastor on Christian divisions within Christendom. Sadly, since the Reformation, the faith has splintered into thousands of different faith sects in the name of Jesus. Even though that same Jesus they profess said in Matthew 12:25-26 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid to waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand; and if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?" (RSVCE)

Also, we have had since the Reformation the Protestant Christians against the Catholic Christians. This is very sad that we are pitied against each other over the most mundane things. I have seen a church split over the color of carpeting being put in the sanctuary. I have firsthand experienced being asked not to teach a Bible Study for fear of me trying to teach Catholic doctrine in a Protestant church instead of the basic Bible. Which was never ever on my agenda. Go figure. That was my buzzsaw.

I fear Satan and the world have to work very little on dividing Christians and Christian churches. We seem to be each other's enemies quite easily with all our preconceived holy notions about one another. Sin has us so twisted up that we see everyone as a potential enemy to our faith.

We have got to start giving far more grace, far more forgiveness, far more kindness, and far more understanding to each other and each other's churches. In case you have forgotten the Apostle John wrote in 1 John 3:23 "And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us." (RSVCE) Jesus taught in John 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

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