12Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:12-13, King James Version)
In the above passage, Paul is criticizing the church at Corinth for being divided. They were following men instead of Christ. They were saying, “I am of Apollos”, “I am of Paul”, “I am of LCG”, “I am of PCG”, “I am of UCG”, etc.
We members of the COG need to remember Who said, “Follow me.”
Paul also warned about following men, especially if they were only in it for their own selfish ambitions.
17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:17-18, King James Version)
18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) (Philippians 3:18-19, King James Version)
Notice that in both cases, we have people causing division. The first group actually had “contentions among you” (1Co 1:11). The second caused “offences”. People treating one another badly.
34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:34-35, King James Version)
If those outside of the body of Christ will recognize those in the body by their love towards each other, then will they know those who are not Christ’s disciples if they do not follow this command?
When I read accounts of how people lost their faith, it saddens me. It saddens me that people would allow someone else to take their crown. It saddens me just as much to realize that one who causes such an offense is also on dangerous grounds.
When I read Internet forums where people are actively carving up divisions, it tells me that it is carnality and not God’s Spirit at work. When I read of ministers mistreating one another and members, it tells me it is carnality and not God’s Spirit at work. It tells me it is the spirit of division instead. It is the spirit of the enemy.
Why would we as God’s people want to return to Egypt?