of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree
and said to them: “Every kingdom divided
with one another in what you say and that there
against itself is brought to desolation, and
be no divisions among you, but that you be per-
every city or house divided against itself will
fectly united in mind and thought”. Paul went
not stand”.
on in 1 Corinthians 1:12 (AMP) to admonish 2. Invest in His Kingdom by fellowship
the people for this worldly character, “Now
with other brethren. In Acts 2:1 (NIV);
I mean this, that each one of you says, “I am [a
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were
disciple] of Paul,” or “I am [a disciple] of Apol-
all together in one place”. Host a Bible
los,” or “I am [a disciple] of Cephas (Peter),” or “I
study at your home and invite friends
am [a disciple] of Christ.”
from other denominations.
3. PREACH Christ! How? By STUDY-
HOW SHOULD YOU REACT WHEN
ING His word. In 2 Timothy 2:15
FACED WITH SUCH A DILEMMA?
(KJV); “Study to shew thyself approved
What should you do as a Christian
unto God, a workman that needeth not to
when the conversation is not about Christ
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
and His testimonies? What should you say
truth”.
when a fellow Christian says this to you, "I
4. Strive to have a PERSONAL RELA-
belong to this church and that church, that
TIONSHIP with God. John 16:13
church does this but does not do that”? Stop
(NASB) tells us; “But when He, the Spirit
the conversation immediately and ask the
of truth, comes, He will guide you into all
brother or sister if it is ok to pray for that
the truth; for He will not speak on His own
church or that leadership. What should you
initiative, but whatever He hears, He will
do when a leader at your church teaches
speak; and He will disclose to you what is to
other members to despise other churches
come”.
and/or how other churches are lesser Chris-
“The gates of hell prevail only when
tians than your congregation? Pray for your there is division in the body of Christ”. In 1
leadership and ask the Holy Spirit to speak
Corinthians 1:13a Paul asked the brethren;
to your church leader’s heart. You should
Is Christ divided into parts? Ask yourself
also express concern about any message that this question; have I divided CHRIST into
promotes division in the body of Christ and parts?
do so in a godly way. Ask the Holy Spirit
Chizoba Aniyumukwu is a Doctoral Student in the
for the words to say so your concern for the
body of Christ can be heard and received in School of Public Health at Jackson State Univer-
sity (MS). After graduation, her goal is to return
their hearts.
to Nigeria where she plans to implement public
Remember!
health programs in underserved communities.
1. Strive for PEACE. In Matthew 12:25
(NKJV), Jesus knew their thoughts,
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