Let us continue to pray for churches across America. In 1 Corinthians 11:19, Paul states something about the church that is difficult to grasp. He says, "for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized." So Jesus prays in John 17:21, "that they may all be one" but here Paul seems to say the opposite. So what's up?
The goal is that we are to earnestly seek unity within the church. The reality though is that the church is always going to be a mixed bag. Every church (and therefore the Church) is going to have a mixture of folks in it. And some of those folks, don't really know Christ.
So what do we do with this reality? First, acknowledge it. Pray for humility in the church, and that we own the truth about what the church is (imperfect) and what it is not (perfect).
Second, seek unity with one another and to live at peace so far as it depends on us. Third, grow in our understanding of Scripture, so that we may become mature and convinced of what is truly essential to the faith, and what is not. And then lastly, we can live out our denominations core value: Unity in Essentials, Liberty in Non-Essentials, Charity in All Things.
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