This seems to ignore the God of diversity who created us and who's Blood was shed that we might be Blood Brothers before The Cross.
Certainly there are essentials--the Virgin Birth; Christ came in the flesh; Died on the Cross for our sins; arose again etc.
But I'm wearied of those who seem to fiercely major in minors and minor in majors as did the religious rulers of Christ's dusty pathed days. If I'm that wearied--how much more disgusted must our Lord and Father be.
We can lay aside our egos and used Kotex self-righteousness and join those Christ brings us to yoke with--thrilling His heart and accomplishing His purposes with His passion for His priorities. Or, we can rebell, grieve Him and insist that OUR theology; OUR traditions of men; or even our doctrines of demons ARE THE GOSPEL that all others must submit to.
Clearly, to me, God's blessings will flow only along the lines of the former, and not the latter.
To some degree, Only God can bring about HIS unity. However, HE DOES REQUIRE WILLING HEARTS, cooperative spirits and compliant, obedient actions on our parts. We can say YES! LORD! Or, we can go our own way--saddening His heart; rebelling, and incurring grief for ourselves in countless ways.
Lord, help me to always say YES, TO YOU. Help me to look on the attitude of the heart and to be eager to work shoulder to shoulder with whomever you bring my way for such a purpose. In Your Name, Amen.
I gave a woman a pearl necklace once... does that count?
One church held a monopoly for centuries, with others breaking away to later franchise worldwise.
THe paradigm has shifted to a different realization of just what the "Body of Christ" actually means.