Cliques or schisms ???

Praise the LORD!!!

   Cliques or schisms, or plainly put, divisions !!! Lately I've seen a greater amount of division in that which supposed to be the  BODY. A united assembly of believers, though maybe not totally agreeing upon every detail of our faith, but a UNITED ONE no the less.

   Last night I came across a post that may of not been worded the best, which turned into a giant flushing of a worldly toilet!!! The original intent was one of love, though discuss over erroneous methods by some within the church. But it exploded into an outpouring of that which I'd have to call trash talk. Far from anything I could of imagined of coming out of the mouths of Christians. My blood began to boil, for not only was the talk foolish, but far from anything remotely resembling "edification" of the saints!!!

   I went on the hunt, while pealing off many a prayer, hunting for the proper references for all that was coming from within my spirit. Thank GOD that at this time I was blessed to be interrupted by another saint, allowing the furor within to subside a good bit. This whole time, I'm still in prayer and decide to take a shower to "cool off." For if there is one thing that I've learned, it is always best to assault  such indiscretions, calmly, so as not to be pulled into sin oneself !!! During my shower, I calmed down and was led to not gather my weapons of warfare against the enemy within, but stepback and take a much broader assault against this problem. This is but the beginning of it!!!!!!!

   The church, religion or faith that we live amongst today, is one vastly divided. Which should be plain to see, unless one has been living in a cave. Religion upon religion, denomination upon denomination, yet supposedly believing in the one true SAVIOR, JESUS. This problem is far from new, for even within the first century there were divisions developing. From the book of ACTS onward, is full of them. Peter being swayed by the Jewish believers, Paul admonishing him. Then Paul's warnings abound as he discusses the many groups, beginning to take side, picking and choosing whom they're following the teachings of. Paul staunchly warns them, that though there are many different teachers, there is but one LORD and it is HE alone that we should follow!!!

   Now, these are just the divisions that are coming about within the true believers, let alone those that are false teachers or anti-Christ, as so aptly put. In all cases, there's but one real cause behind them, that is, pride. That self seeking sin, that has separated us from GOD since the Garden. That very sin that gives us the lord of the air, he that continues to be the accuser of the saints, satan. Who fell from grace due to an inflated ego, thinking himself better then all others, even GOD his creator.

   We are seeing a tremendous overflowing, not of the HOLY SPIRIT, but of the human spirit. That very spirit which brought about the fall from grace of mankind, PRIDE !!! No love being shown to the brethren, not even love being shown to any other, only a puffed up, self centered spirit, seeking the approval of others upon their own words. Surprising??? Not in the least, for this is but the results of our being human or carnal. A condition of mankind that we have to live with, though should not accept. Many state they've the blessing of the HOLY SPIRIT within their lives, yet the fruit of their lips reveal a heart blackened by pride. That which they believe, is 100% right and there is no chance at all of their being even slightly off in their beliefs!!! Right!!! If I remember right, there's not one of us that is perfect. For there is but one whom has walked this earth that is and let us not forget this FACT !!!!!!! There is not one religion, one denomination, one minister that walks this earth that can truthfully say they that their beliefs and teaching are perfectly in accord with JESUS' teachings. If they do, they're lying and know it. PRIDE, once again!!!

*** I'm sure there will be more to follow on this, when only the LORD knows. Get yourself away from the teaching of man and dive deeply into the WORD of GOD and nothing else. Don't be fooled by the high minded, that say scripture is hard to understand without one being a scholar, for if we're to accept JESUS and HIS teachings as a little child, would it not be fair to say, these teaching can be understood plainly by a child and not need some degree of higher learning to do so??? Sure, I've over 2000 books in my Biblical library, but when it comes to the ultimate understanding it's the Bible that rules out and not my understandings either, just as written. When told to love the brethren as myself, that is exactly what I do :)))***
  
A special note here: when we as Christian begin acting like a bunch of worldly people, acting in ways contrary to that which we preach, is there any wonder so many call us hypocrites??? THINK ABOUT IT!!!!!!!




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GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries