So many ancient cities have been destroyed by earthquakes. When we look at the devastation of earthquakes, we are given insight into the devastation of what happens when many people proclaiming to be Christians disobey God’s word and fight, divide, and live according to their decrees instead of God’s.
Separation Begins with Disobedience
When believers do not obey, serve, and honor God exactly like Jesus, we separate the body of Christ. Disagreements and strife cause separation and division. There are many denominations with further segmented divisions.
Disobedience and not being the attitudes, thoughts, words, and actions of Jesus are detrimental to the body of Christ. Quarreling, anger, and disrespect show the world the wrong picture of God and Jesus. The world sees no hope, love, and unity, only hypocrisy. Jesus tells us why we, his disciples, are making mistakes.
“You are mistaken not (knowing) understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.”
- Matt. 22:29, NASB1995
God’s complete word is what all of Christ’s disciples and God’s children MUST know, believe, and live by. God’s word holds the body of Christ together. When we treat and use God’s word like a pick-and-choose buffet, we dishonor, disrespect, and disobey God and Jesus. We tear Christ’s church apart. The apostle Paul shares many warnings with us in God’s word.
Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching, which you learned, and turn away from them.
- Rom. 16:17, NASB 1995
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 Cor. 1:10, NASB 1995
Separation of Christ’s Church Creates Confusion
To the public onlookers, nonbelievers, and struggling Christians, any misrepresentation, twisting, altering, and deleting of God’s Word tells them that following God is on their terms. It means that we are above God, which is a tool of the devil. God, Creator of ALL things, chose to handcraft you and me in our mother’s wombs. He knows we are imperfect, yet he allows us to be a part of his grand eternal plan!
Knowing we are the miraculous masterpieces of God and that he has a plan for us should humble us. Christ’s sacrificial love should assure us that we are loved unconditionally, and we can choose to live as his disciples to honor his love! One day, our miraculous bodies will die, but praise our Father God that Christ’s disciples will step into a perfect heaven.
However, we will give an account for ourselves. Did we follow all of God’s word? Did we carry out our commission given to us by Jesus Christ? Will we step into heaven knowing that we lived as Christ’s body on earth?
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
- Matt. 28:18-20, NASB 1995
Let Us Live as the Body of Christ
Heaven will surpass any imagination we have seen or experienced. Take the hand of Jesus and become his disciple! If you are his disciple, let every aspect of your mind, body, spirit, soul, attitudes, words, and actions reflect Jesus. Live as God’s miraculous design! Show everyone the love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness of Christ.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
- Eph. 2:19-22, NASB 1995
