Why are there strifes, and tumults, and divisions, and schisms, and wars among you? Have we not [all] one God and one Christ? Is there not one Spirit of grace poured out upon us? And have we not one calling in Christ? Why do we divide and tear to pieces the members of Christ, and raise up strife against our own body, and have reached such a height of madness as to forget that "we are members one of another?" Remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, how He said, "Woe to that man [by whom offenses come]! It were better for him that he had never been born, than that he should cast a stumbling-block before one of my elect. Yea, it were better for him that a millstone should be hung about [his neck], and he should be sunk in the depths of the sea, than that he should cast a stumbling-block before one of my little ones. Your schism has subverted [the faith of] many, has discouraged many, has given rise to doubt in many, and has caused grief to us all. And still your sedition continues.Yes, I think it is clear the members of Christ's church have 'reached such a height of madness', and have forgotten that "we are members one of another?".
(First Clement Chapter 46, 80-140CE)
Interesting connection here with Mark 14:21
"...But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."Is there a connection between 'betraying the Son of Man' and not recognizing that Christ's Church is one body? Would a similar 'woe' apply?
It is true that the divisions in Christ's Church have discouraged, given reason to doubt, and destroyed the faith of many. Yet many Christ followers see no reason to change, and continue to protest and fight over who is right and who is wrong.
In a family, when battles go on too long, there is a point when it doesn't matter who is right and who is wrong. The members of a healthy family will recognize the need for reconciliation.
I pray we can seek wisdom from our Lord Jesus Christ, and he will guide us towards love and respect.
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