Are we one new man, fellow citizens, fit together as a whole body (Ephesians 2) or have we drifted back into a people divided against one another, which can not stand and withstand in this season of warfare we find ourselves in (Luke 11:17)?
The Body of Christ must come together as One and not battle against one another, but come against “the principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).
Has the enemy of our souls diverted our attention from exposing his schemes by focusing on our unique differences?
Are we witnessing ministries working together for the greater good, promoting Christ in our communities to those who have yet to hear the good news of the Gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 28:18-20) or is the focus now on the differences we have in customs, traditions, doctrines and whatever else doesn’t fit our particular mold (Mark 7:1-23)?
Is the Church one body, rightly fit together, each part supplying the need of the other, with Christ as the head as it was designed to be (Ephesians 4:16) or is each part set aside unto itself (Romans 12:3)?
That’s not even a legitimate question today, for it appears that as the world has factioned and grown apart ideologically, during this same season the Church has taken up arms against one another.
Very sad and very dangerous for the Scripture warns a house divided can not stand (Matthew 12:22-28)!
The Lord awakened me yesterday morning (June 21, 2023) and directed me to the gospel of Mark chapter 9.
Wow!
What was happening during that time correlates to what the Body of Christ appears to be experiencing, engaging in, today. The disciples were present with a Jesus and look what they were experiencing! Peter, James, and John accompanied Him to a high mountain where they witnessed His transfiguration and then Elijah and Moses appeared with Him as well.
The disciples out of fear reverted to their traditions; “Shall we build three alters?”.
God responded that they should direct their attention to a Jesus alone: “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
From there they continued on together and Jesus healed a young man that the disciples had been unable to heal, because they had tried to do it out of their own efforts instead of recognizing the need for prayer and fasting, which places our focus on God’s power and not of ourselves.
Jesus continued on explaining as they traveled what was about to happened to Him, but they again failed to understand. A spirit of fear had taken hold of them.
Fear is the enemy’s favorite tactic to have us focus on ourselves. Next we read that the disciples began to argue “among themselves who would be greatest” and Jesus had to direct their attention to serving others, considering others better than themselves
(Philippians 2:3-11).
And then here it comes! John says to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your Name and we forbade him to speak because he does not follow us.” But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon after speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us IS ON OUR SIDE,”
There it is Church! Get over yourself! Quit seeking a position of “greater than”. Quit speaking out against others who may not be “one of us”, that is, your denomination, your ministry group, your specific tradition, who reads a different translation, who operates with a different gift or talent or manner of worship or, or, or! “Do not forbid him!” That’s Jesus speaking “Church”!
Jesus corrected His disciples then and those same words go forth now and they will accomplish in us what pleases Him and shall prosper in us to whom He sent it (Isaiah 55:11)! Jesus is not finished yet in Mark 9. Read verses 42-49!
Jesus doesn’t hold anything back, but gives a very graphic warning about offenses! Praise God He is being dramatic to make His point, otherwise we’d be maimed for life, but that’s how important His message to us is!
I’m glad He closes less dramatically with, “Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.” That I’m able to strive toward.
It is time to set aside our differences Church and celebrate that we are all one Body, with Christ as the head over all.
We are to be rightly fit together, with each part supporting the others and supplying one another’s needs.
Don’t only think about it… Let’s do it! As One!
Blessings and Amen!
Papa Bill – Global Destiny Ministry , Albuquerque, NM