Some forms of division are obvious: Strong personalities clash and pull disciples in different directions. False teachers “draw away” disciples from Christ’s one church (Acts 20:28-30 cf. 2 Timothy 4:3-4). Disciples form distinct groups based on favorite preachers, a practice at Corinth that Paul corrected (1 Corinthians 1:11-12).
But other divisions are more subtle. Today, many Christians see themselves as second class citizens of Christ’s kingdom. They consider themselves “lay” members, separate from “priests” and “clergy.” They feel inferior, especially when compared with educated elites. But those feelings come from worldly backgrounds, not from Christ. They are no part of the New Covenant, which is different from the Old Covenant (Hebrews 8:9, 13). Now, Jesus makes all His followers into His brothers (Matthew 12:50; 23:8). He makes them all priests (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6).
Another subtle influence is partiality. It discriminates based on traits like culture, income, race and social status. The early church’s first internal stress was over widows of different languages (Acts 6). James warned against favoring the rich over the poor. “If you show partiality, you are committing sin” (James 2:9). So, we work to maintain unity at every level, ranging from the obvious to the subtle.