Jesus prayed for the unity of believers and said that our being “one” will be a powerful witness to the world about Him (John 17:21-23). As an expression of being made one, believers are called to behave in peace and unity, bearing with one another, forgiving, and loving one another as Christ loved us. However, division among believers defames the One they claim to represent. Division is the opposite of unity, the opposite of what Christ prayed for, and divisiveness can even reveal that a person has not been made one in Christ. The Apostle Paul warns believers in most of his letters about division and lists it as a desire of the flesh that is opposed to the Spirit (Galatians 5:17-21). Paul gives directions to Christians about what to do with a divisive person, and the direction might surprise you.
“But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” (Titus 3:9-11)
“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught avoid them.” (Romans 16:17)
Question: According to these passages, what does being a divisive person seem to reveal?
Answer: Unbelief. Their desire to divide the church is greater than their desire for unity, which reveals that they are either not saved or, in the least, in need of repentance. A divisive “Christian” spoils their witness to the world about Christ. As Christian unity helps to reveal Christ to the world, division reveals that Christians are no different than the world. For this reason, a divisive person is to be warned once, warned twice, and if they do not repent, then removed from the church.
App.: What about you? Do you look for differences among the people of God more than you look at what you have in common? Do you have a history of division or unity? Do you find yourself wanting to disagree, quarrel, slander, recruit, and divide the body of Christ? Or do you find yourself patient, tenderhearted, forgiving, long-suffering, and loving? Be honest with yourself because your answer can reveal the actual state of your soul and the need to repent. Unity among believers and in the local church takes effort. We must put away divisiveness, a “work of the flesh," so that we may live in the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace, loving one another as Christ has loved us.
“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:6)
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