I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment (1 Corinthians 1:10).
The truth that Ephesians explains in principle, 1 Corinthians applies in practice. Does Paul tolerantly and agreeably urge dividing members, “Go to the division of your choice”? Absolutely not! Then where do modern leaders get their statement, “Go to the church of your choice”? In its usual setting this means, “Choose the division or denomination you prefer.” Have we learned nothing from Jesus, who teaches us to pray, “Not my will, but Yours be done”?28 Can we so easily dismiss His appeal for “complete unity”?29 Is His sacrifice for one undivided family now useless?30
Have we learned nothing from Ephesians? Ephesians is emphatic: What matters is God’s choice! “He chose us in Him” (Ephesians 1:4).
“His purpose was to create in Himself one new man… one body” (Ephesians 2:15-16).
In other words, God chooses for us to be united in Christ’s church. If true Christians choose anything, surely they choose the one blood-bought body. Surely they are “eager to maintain the unity” (Ephesians 4:3). What other choice is there? To choose sinful division is to deny God’s very nature. To support division is to war against God’s eternal purpose. Paul gives to faction-makers this solemn warning:
If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple (1 Corinthians 3:17).
If certain members at Corinth deserve such a warning, how much more do we? Despite party tensions, Corinthian Christians still meet as a congregation. Today’s divisions not only split congregations but also spawn thousands of separate religious bodies. If it is possible for truth to be truer, then Paul’s words are truer than ever:
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:17).