The Christian community has taken up several opposing ideological stances since the beginning of the Kingdom of God. An outsider or amateur might perceive this difference inside Christendom as a skirmish. However, we must remember that the Lord owns the church, and we are God’s husbandry. Therefore, we should assume that Almighty God has permitted the church to be so for a worthy cause.

This article delves into the significance of division in the church, how it has contributed to the growth of the kingdom of Christ, and the importance of maintaining unity while refining our grasp of the Scriptures.

I have been bothered by this for a while and was eager to find a solution, which is why I am bringing it up. Through studying the Scriptures, I have discovered that having such a difference is, in some ways, healthy.

The church has only benefited from this faction throughout the church era, so to say, and it has never turned into a hindrance as some may suggest.

Since the first century, there has been a polarity among Christian converts, and this polarity has been vital to the church’s growth. I am not talking about “strife and divides,” which are not only a sure indicator of spiritual immaturity while being carnal and wicked but also having embraced a wisdom that is diabolical – James 3:14,15. Even the Bible instructs us to identify and avoid those who cause splits, offenses, and divisions that are counter to the doctrine that you have learned.

This implies that the divides and conflicts within the Christian community have aided the church’s expansion.

The Apostle Paul was making a reference to those who gathered together but then experienced conflict and divides inside that group, which would initially cast doubt on a Christian. That amounts to mocking the Lord’s command, isn’t it?

Jesus replied, “By your love for one another, all men will know that you are my disciples.”

A Christian should strive to uphold the bond of peace and the unity of the Spirit.

What I want to focus on here, though, is the division that occurred inside local churches and how it contributed to the expansion of the kingdom of Christ in this globe.

Why are even heresies not to be regarded as powerless? Because the Bible says that there must be heresies among you to make those that are approved evident among you – 1 Corinthians 11:19.

This implies that even heresies or erroneous teachings can be used to aid believers in discerning between accurate and inaccurate doctrine.

“Heresies are experiments in man’s unsatisfied search for truth.”

H.G. Wells

The scattering of Christians during intense persecution in the church in Jerusalem at that time was significant, and God would also permit families, teams, and fellow workers to turn against one another to carry out His purpose.

This implies that there might be deeper meaning in God’s plan even when there is disagreement and division among believers—-that even disputes and divisions among Christians may be used by God for a greater good.

Jesus stated that he had come to bring a sword, not peace, and he would put a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law at odds with one another.

This implies that there can be discord and division caused by following Jesus even within families.

God chooses people from various families, churches, ministries, and religions and places them where He wants them to be. And this could never have been accomplished on such a large scale without the occurrence of such divergence.

However, I am not arguing against the importance of or against unity among believers. On the contrary, we should work to preserve the Spirit’s oneness in the bond of peace.

The Holy Ghost is the unifying force, and human nature tends to do the opposite. This unity cannot be attained until a group of Christians is led and filled with the Spirit.

The church must allow the weaned souls to take their own flight so they can go and be the light and salt wherever the Lord desires them to be. The necessity of such division within a group then becomes apparent, right?

While unity among believers is crucial, it is equally essential to understand the significance of division within a group. The conflict can appear to be so fierce at times. And the contention was so sharp between them (Paul and Barnabas), that they departed asunder one from the other (Acts 15:39). The occurrence of such divergence has contributed to the growth of the kingdom of Christ, and it is imperative to maintain and refine our understanding of the Scriptures.

As Christians, we must strive to uphold the bond of peace and the unity of the Spirit, for the Holy Ghost is the unifying force. Only through a group led and filled with the Spirit can we attain the desired unity that enables us to be the light and salt wherever the Lord desires us to be.

This implies that there can be contention and discord among church leaders as well.