Hey y’all! This is a post that’s kinda controversial in the slightest sense, but hear me out.

As Christians and as humans, we are often complicating our faith!

These days, we have all sorts of controversial things and topics that Christians agree and disagree on. Here are just a few: Bible translations, divorce, Communion, mental health, politics, outreach and ministry, baptism, abortion, medicine, social media, dating, music, worship and preaching methods, apologetics, miracles, parenting, denominations, yoga, modesty, and MORE.

It’s insane! Somehow, we find and create our own cliques (which should not exist in the church!), and we find ways to break into tiny groups of “I believe this, and I believe that.”

It’s hurting the church as a community, it’s hurting ourselves, and it’s hurting the world.

You guys, Jesus didn’t call us to argue about these things. It’s good to talk about it, for sure, and determine what you believe. But to the extent where we are arguing with brothers and sisters and hurting each other? No!

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul writes that our faith, the faith Jesus called us to, is meant to be a united faith. All Christians have one uniter: Jesus. Nothing should change that.

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So how does this hurt the church? Here’s a couple ways: (these all also apply to ourselves)

1. It damages our trust in each other. If we can’t trust each other despite differences, why would we trust the God who we all call our own?
2. We don’t learn to work with people with differences. That then ties into working with the world: it is much different.
3. It dampens our faith. We won’t find true love and comfort in the family (church) that God made for us.

How does it hurt us? Here are some examples:

1. We lose sight of our God.
2. We forget what faith really is and what it really means.
3. We form the wrong idea of a church and welcome people from our clique and not from the other cliques.

How does it hurt the world? Here’s a handful of ways:

1. If we can’t love our brothers and sisters in Christ, how can we love the secular world?
2. It ruins the image God created of a united front. Who would want to believe in a God of separation and segregation?
3. It forces people to make a harder decision. They can come to Christ, or not. If they come to Christ, that’s amazing! But then—all the questions come about what they believe and what side they stand on for those controversial subjects.

So. Can you see how these controversial topics ruin the church? That’s not to say it’s bad to have an opinion on these topics! It’s good! But—when it gets carried away to ruin relationships and your faith, and you start to believe in those things over God, that’s when it becomes toxic and not good.

You see, when Jesus was gathering his disciples, what were they told to do?

1. “Come and see.” (John‬ ‭1‬:‭46‬)
2. “Follow me.” (Matthew 4:19)
3. “Follow me.” (Luke 5:27-28)
4. Not sure, just says called. (Matthew 4:21-22)

See, he didn’t ask them for their insurance info or their testimony or their opinion on politics, baptism, abortion, medicine, or witchcraft. He just called them. That’s all he needs, you just gotta come along on the journey.

And when he healed people, what did he say to them?

1. “Your faith has healed you.” (Matthew 9:20-22)
2. “According to your faith let it be done to you.” (Matthew 9:27-29)
3. “No more of this!” (Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭49‬-‭51‬)
4. “You have great faith! Your request is granted.” (Matthew 15:22-28)

Y’all, all of Jesus’s healings have to do with faith. He didn’t ask, “Hm. What’s your opinion on so-and-so sitting on the throne?” Or, “Well, do you believe in ______ or ______? Cuz if it’s the first one, then no can do…can’t heal ya, sorry.” He just needed their faith.

I love this one: number 3, Luke 22:49-51. That is when Peter cuts off the Roman soldier’s ear and Jesus heals it. Peter had asked, “Should we strike them with our swords?” And Jesus said, “No more of this!” No more separation and fighting and hate! We must love. And so he healed the man’s ear.

Y’all, Jesus hates that we’re in separation, and wants us to all love him together. He’s one God, not a bunch of different gods.

I recommend listening to this song: Togetherness by Tiffany Hudson feat Mitch Wong and Joe L. Barnes.

Thanks for reading, and have a great day.

~Willow 🧡