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Divisions in the Church

 “They will know we our Christians by our love.” (John 13:35). Man, the Word of God, the Bible, has powerful messages. This one always stands out to me. We, as Christians, want to reflect Christ from when he was on earth as well as honor God from where He reigns in heaven right now. But we also want to live our lives according to the directions in Scripture through everything we do. Yet so many people like to twist the scripture. Some do it on purpose (false teachers) and some don’t realize that they are being swayed against something that goes against the intended meaning of the Bible (2 Timothy 3:6). Protestant and Catholic Christians are at each other’s throats about whether we should worship Mary. Christian’s pit against each other for political issues. So many Christians have different views on how worship should be conducted. Sadly, the list of issues goes on and on. I agree, I think that if we see someone who is living in sin or misinterpreting something that should be addressed, it is our job to confront them and call them back to the truth (Mathew 18). However, I also know that the Bible wants us to speak the truth in LOVE (Ephesians 4:15). When we spend days ARGUING instead of ADMONISHING or even encouraging, it does not paint Christians in a good light.

But, as a reminder to those who do not yet personally have a relationship with the Creator of the Universe, I would like to remind you that while Christians (people) will again and again disappoint you, God Himself will NEVER disappoint (2 Timothy 2:11-13). I always want to apologize for all of the ways that Christians and people have hurt you. The actions that people used to hurt you go against what the Bible commands us to do. We are still humans who have a free will, and sometimes the flesh wins. Those actions are coming from the sinfulness of the person, not from their identity of a new creation in Christ. It is not excusable; they are still held accountable for those actions. 

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