Factionless Community || Sins of the World #12

The Constant Divide

Welcome back to “Sins of the World!” I’ve been taking a deeper dive into the words of Galatians 5:19-21 to talk about what we need to avoid and how these acts can lead us towards the Fruits of the Spirit. In Part 11, we looked at dissension, which Paul defines as a destructive reality of dissension or standing apart in opposition. Paul reminded us in Romans 16:17 that the church has struggles with this. Leaders can use their positions for their own gain instead for the betterment of the community. I talked about different mainstream leaders have used different verses for their own interpretation and message instead of staying true to what the Biblical authors talked about. Paul’s words to Titus also taught us how to watch for divisive people in our community. It’s a reminder to us to work to give someone a second chance, while also respecting boundaries, and ensuring that we do not allow others to take advantage of our kindness at the same time.

For Part 12, we’re looking at division. What truly divides us and splits us apart? How do we overcome division to ensure we can drive community and unity?

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: Where do you see divisions in your community?

Divisions Has Everyone in Their Corner

The Greek word that Paul uses to describe division is hairesis (hah’-ee-res-is). Divisions centers on a distinct choice that organizes around a distinctive viewpoint. This word can also be translated as “factions.” In the New Testament, it represents as a religious party. This was the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes during the first-century Judaism. Here’s a quick synopsis on these parties:

• Sadducees – did not believe in an afterlife, the resurrection of the dead, angels and spirits; emphasized human free will and personal responsibility.
• Pharisees – believed in the resurrection of the dead, the eternity of the soul, divine providence combined with free will, and the existence of angels.
• Essenes – believed that God would soon intervene to overthrow wickedness; practiced ritual purification, communal property, and often celibacy,

Sources of info: https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org/pharisees-sadducees-and-essenes; https://reasonabletheology.org/pharisees-sadducees-essenes/)

For us, its a reminder that we need to be mindful of the information we’re in-taking. With the rise of media censorship and generative AI, the amount of fake news that is shown and pushed to us is higher than ever before. If you’re questioning things, there’s a reason for it. Allow yourself the time, energy, and grace to do some research on it and seeks to find the answers necessary. Work to ensure that your mindsets, beliefs, and plans don’t create divisive community or a divisive agenda. The goal is to create unity and community all over the place. Our goal is to pursue reconciliation and restoration where possible, recognizing that correction may not be possible. As long as we make valid, reasonable, and realistic attempts at going for respect and reconciliation, then we’re doing the right thing. We cannot force anything to happen, but we can attempt and hope for the best. God must remain the center of all our words and actions. As long as we keep Him as our center, we cannot be divided, but united.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: What factions exist in our world currently? How would you help to break apart the factions in our world?

Together or Separate

Let’s check out the words of 1 Corinthians 11:19 to see how factions impacted the church in Corinth:

AMP – for [doubtless] there have to be factions among you, so that those who are of approved character may be clearly recognized among you.

NRSVUE – Indeed, there have to be factions among you, for only so will become clear who among you are genuine.

VOICE – I’ve accepted the fact that faction are sometimes useful and even necessary so that those who are authentic and those who are counterfeit may be recognized.

Differences were transpiring within the Corinth church surrounding how Christians were taking Communion. Now, Corinth had a diverse culture, so the different social backgrounds exacerbated rivalries, pride, and loyalties. This made public the damaging effects of pride and the distance built from the Gospel teachings.

Conflicts and testing can reveal who is faithful to Christ, His gospel, and the love that should be used to relate to our brothers and sisters. Those who work through the conflict and testing show that division cannot defeat them, and reflect that they can endure trials with humility, obedience, and perseverance. Biblically, we can understand our trials of life as a way to refine faith.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: What Paul teaches is that the differences could break us apart or bring us together? How do you handle differences in social setting?

Resolving Factional Differences

I find it really interesting that Paul’s advice for overcoming divisions like this is to pay attention to how we handle conflicts and trials. If we allow the conflicts to defeat us, or if we cave into the trials, then it can lead us to become hard-hearted. When we become hard-hearted, we tend to become more closed off to those around us. We wrestle with the difficulties of be vulnerable to others, accepting others kindness without thinking there’s some ulterior motive, and to offer that kindness others without fear of being hurt. The more that fear builds up, the more that we lose that ability to enjoy the company that can help us get through life.

The goal is how to we overcome it. The goal is to endure these situations with humility, obedience, and perseverance. Humility reminds us that these situations aren’t always and only about us. Often these situations will affects others, either intentionally or unintentionally. It’s a way to ensure that while you’re taking care of yourself, and creating the best possible outcome for you, that no one else around is being affected negatively as a result. The same can be said when we factor in obedience to God’s command. The foundational goal is to live in a way that loves God with all parts of our selves and loves our neighbor as ourselves. Our goal should be to strive to overcome our stress and trials in a way that allows others to receive the same love God gives to us. It’s difficult to do, especially during times of stress and trials, because often the person that we need to share that love with is the same person that caused us hurt and stress. Yet, Jesus specifically encourages us to love our enemies. No matter what the situation entailed, all people are called to be given the chance to receive love and correction. Now, if they are given that and don’t make the proper corrections, then it’s okay that reconciliation doesn’t happen. It doesn’t mean that the divisions doesn’t exist, but it does mean that you aren’t allowing the divisions to guide your words and actions. Even when it’s tough, we must persist. Working through these tough moments and tough conversations can define what our future can look like. When we can have these tough moments, working through them to hear both perspectives of s situation and creating space to arrive a mutual middle ground, then creating either a path of reconciliation or mutual understanding to move forward. These are just a small amount of ways we can overcome potential factions and bring us back to unity and community.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: How do you overcome factions and divisions in your life? Do you think it’s possible for reconciliation to happen at all in these circumstances?