| NAMESNow I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?? 1 Cor. 1:12,13As believers, we love names - Republican, Baptist, Methodist, Church of God, Calvinist, Liberal.Heck, some of you are probably disappointed not to see the name of your group in my list. Others are probably getting angry that I even suggested that we need to reconsider the degree to which our connection to a group affects our thinking, our view of others and our view of the world.But names can be a problem when:1. Names divide the body of Christ. We are one.2. Names make us feel superior to or better than other people. There is no distinction. No part of the body gets to claim superiority over another.3. Names exclude other believers from us. Every believer belongs.4. Names close us off to the perspectives and view of believers. We all only see in part and know in part. Together we know more, we see better, we function better.5. Names make us feel trapped in a group or organization. We are free.The Church is not a corporation, a building or a list of beliefs posted on the wall. Christ is a gatherer, not a scatterer.He is inclusive, not exclusive.He is not looking for ways to keep people out.He went to extremes to get everyone in and wants everyone in.The Church is everyone who believes.For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for |