Why, in today’s Christendom, are there so many divisions? Quite simply, many are listening to other voices. The good Shepherd speaks with one clear voice. His true sheep respond to His voice, which results in one flock. But many are scattered, following different voices that pull them in different directions. For example, many are in traditional religions. They let family history make their choices for them. While we honor parents, they are not the good Shepherd. He warns us all,
If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:26).
Our love for our Lord should be so great that, by comparison, we seem to hate our family. Of course, Jesus teaches us to love them too. But if we reverse the order, our misguided love can destroy both us and them. Your ancestors and relatives cannot stand in your place at the Judgment. They cannot save you. They cannot be made gods above the one God. They cannot be treated as lords above the one Lord.
For us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist (1 Corinthians 8:6).
So, even our family members must take a distant second place to Him in our lives. We must consciously listen to the Lord’s voice, not theirs. The same applies to dear friends, popular preachers, revered church leaders, denominational authorities, expert scholars and people who claim visions and prophetic powers. They are not the Lord. Spend your time listening to Him, and let His voice overrule all others.