As I watch my beautiful and beloved home state of Wisconsin become ever increasingly divided, I ponder the proverb that as the church goes, so goes society. Is the division and the hate that is seen in the world a reflection of the church? Are the spiritual undercurrents that are prevailing in the protests and in the politics allowed to manifest because they are tolerated by the church? What is the role of the church in society?
I believe that the church is called to manifest and establish the Kingdom of God on the earth. We pray “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. ” (Matthew 6:10, NIV) Jesus has given us one purpose, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ” (Matthew 28:19, NIV)
The greatest obstacle to success is division. When we ourselves have divided thoughts, we cannot move forward in any direction. When the church is divided, it cannot move forward.
Division comes from competing desires. In the church, these competing desires manifest in many ways. There are competing desires over who should be allowed to teach. There are competing desires over who has heard from God. There are competing desires over how money should be spent. Competition is not from God. The spirit of competition is demonic and when it enters the church, it must attach itself to a religious spirit so that it cannot be recognized. The religious spirit then walks is a spirit of manipulation to find a way to accomplish its desire.
I have watched many churches and Christian leaders disintegrate in my state because of this spirit. Could it be, that as this spirit had taken hold in the church, it finds freedom to begin to move in society? Is the fragmentation that has so quickly taken foothold in society merely a reflection of the fragmentation of the church over the last years?
What is the answer to overcoming the spirit of competition? How does the church become unified? How does the church once again move strongly in its mission to establish the Kingdom of God?
“Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. ” (1 Corinthians 10:24, NIV) That is a difficult saying. In the church, the spirit of competition wonders why someone else is allowed a title and they are not. The spirit of competition cannot bear to see the success and good of another believer’s life. The spirit of competition cannot lay down its agenda for the sake of the good of the church and its leaders.
“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. ” (1 Corinthians 12:7, NIV) Anything we have, is given for the sole purpose of the common good. Can we focus on building others? Can we focus on laying down our agendas for the sake of the good of our church and our leadership? “So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ” (1 Corinthians 12:25, NIV)
Here is my appeal to all who say they are a Christian. Look for the good of others in your church. Take care of your Pastor. Honor your leaders. Become an agent of love. See the good in your brothers and in your sisters. Strengthen your brothers and your sisters. Lay down your personal agenda and carry the agenda of Christ.
When we sacrifice for others, we cast down the spirit of competition. When we yield to the good of our leaders, we break the spirit of manipulation. As we do so, we gain the strength and the integrity to preach to the world the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As we preach the Gospel, we establish the Kingdom. As we establish the Kingdom, division must flee.
