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6Vol. 21, No. 9 — Sep 2019
How is Religious Division Best Addressed?
- Respecting and appealing to the Bible as the only religious authority in Christianity (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3; Jude 1:3; 1 Corinthians 2:9-16).
- Truly working with others to be united in what we speak and in what we think (1 Corinthians 1:10).
- Adopting personal attitudes toward others that do not generate contentions (1 Corinthians 1:11-12).
- Centering our attention on Christ and His message rather than on the messengers of His Word (1 Corinthians 1:13).
- Being careful to avoid any promotion of self-glory (1 Corinthians 1:14-16, 29, 31).
- Preaching the cross rather than the counsel of men (1 Corinthians 1:18, 23-24, 30).
- Excluding efforts to impress others with our personal wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:1-2).
- Delivering the truth in such a manner that we demonstrate the work of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:4-5; John 16:8).
- Properly discerning the spiritual status of those with whom we speak (1 Corinthians 3:1-4).
- Delivering a proper spiritual diet to those with whom we speak (1 Corinthians 3:2; 2 Peter 1:5-11; 3:18).
- Recognizing that God gives the increase rather than falsely elevated messengers (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
- Recognizing that each of us as hearers will eventually be made manifest (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).
- Recognizing that each of us as hearers should seek to have the spirit of God in us through the expressed Word of God (1 Corinthians 3:16).
- Rejecting the wisdom of the world (1 Corinthians 3:18-20).
- Looking to faithful men of God for personal, spiritual growth (1 Corinthians 3:21-22).
