UNITED!

Last month, I had the privilege of teaching at Colombo Theological Seminary (CTS), in Colombo, the capital of of Sri Lanka.

This is a remarkable institution that reflects the coming together of quite a diverse group of Sri Lankan Christians, denominations as varied as Anglican, Pentecostal, Methodist, and Dutch Reformed! All uniting with an admirable vision “to create a center for easily accessible, culturally relevant and evangelically focused, advanced theological training to equip the church to effectively reach out and serve the peoples of Sri Lanka's multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multicultural society; and the South Asian region—home to more than one billion people.”

Three major languages are represented in the nation of Sri Lanka itself—English, Sinhala, and Tamil. And CTS ministers in all three.

United!

While the kaleidoscope of affiliations may create problems of its own, I must confess that their goal is entirely biblical.

Now I exhort you, brethren,
by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that you all agree and that
there be no divisions among you, but that
you be made complete
in the same mind and
in the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:10

Factions, cliques, parties. Rivalry and competition. Division and quarrels.

For I have been informed
concerning you, my brethren, …
that there are quarrels among you.
Now I mean this,
that each one of you is saying,
“I am of Paul,” and
“I of Apollos,” and
“I of Cephas,” and
“I of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 1:10–12

And I’ll call that disease selfluenza! A killer affliction, for it divides the body. An eye that decides to do its own thing, not working coordinately with its partner. A pancreas working for its own glory, unconcerned about the body’s digestion or its handling of blood sugar. A foot that begins to walk its own way, a different path, out of sync with where the body wants to go.

One estimate asserts that currently there are about 33,000 Protestant denominations in about 250 countries today? That number is increasing, some say, at the rate of 300 a year. Almost one new denomination a day! Now I realize some separation is necessary, especially on theological grounds. But among those who confess Christ as Savior and acknowledge the Lordship of Christ, between brothers and sisters in the Lord, there is far too much division spawned by personal rivalry, animosity, intolerance, and self-exaltation.

Has Christ been divided?
1 Corinthians 1:13

Because we are all members of the same body of Christ, we are allies, we are co-partisans fighting on the same side. In other words, our lives are knitted together in an enterprise far more vast than we can see or even comprehend. A great battle is being waged between the divine forces of good and the satanic forces of evil. A great cosmic battle, winning people for the Lord, furthering His Kingdom on earth.

But here we are, a divided army—torn, ripped apart, sundered, segmented—rendering us less than fully effective in Christian ministry. All because of selfluenza, our tendency to self-exaltation.

Now I exhort you, brethren,
by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that you all agree and that
there be no divisions among you ….
1 Corinthians 1:10

It is in the name of Christ that all believers are exhorted to be united. For the sake of His reputation. For His cause. For the glory of God. United.

Hey, when was the last time you attended a worship service of a church not part of your denomination? Why not give it a try, say, for two Sundays in a year?