SpecialSam

You can disagree without becoming an enemy. You can honour one minister without dishonouring another. You can defend truth without becoming a factional warrior. You can maintain a relationship with Paul without declaring war on Barnabas! The Body of Christ is not a collection of rival kingdoms held together by competing loyalties. And please hear this: Any loyalty that requires you to violate Scripture, surrender your conscience or hate another believer has crossed the boundary from honour into bondage. The real test of maturity is not how fiercely you defend your camp, but how faithfully you remain within the boundaries of what is written. Paul said: "Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas... all are yours; And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." — 1 Corinthians 3:22–23. ALL ARE YOURS! Not "I belong to Paul, therefore Apollos must be my enemy!" The tragedy is that Christ gave us the whole Body, but factional loyalty has reduced some believers to a camp. When loyalty prevents fellowship, when allegiance produces hostility, and when fear of losing followers determines whom you can love, you are no longer demonstrating spiritual maturity. You are demonstrating spiritual captivity. Paul and John Mark must be shaking their heads at some of the things we now call loyalty! Learn not to think beyond what is written. And above all, refuse to be puffed up for one against another!