Holy Wars??

Luke 22:24 "And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest."

What a scene it must have been to witness the bickering and debates of supremacy amongst the disciples as Jesus shared his last meal with them before He would give Himself to be hung on the cross. Today the debate often still rages, though in ever evolving distinctions. Most modern disciples don't attempt to distinguish themselves as greater based on personal virtue. But rather, they proclaim the supremacy of whatever ministry field they espouse to be the most important or greater than all the others.

The preacher celebrates the Word proclaimed as most vital. The teacher stresses the need for understanding. The worshipers speak of their role opening the hearts of the believers through sincere praise. The prayer warriors often think nothing more important than intercession and deep personal communion with God. These, of course, are mere generalities, but we've heard them before. And sometimes, these preferences progress into a far more dangerous atmosphere of competition and feelings of preeminence next to all others.

But the truth is, God never intended for various ministries and those operating in Spiritual gifts to war against one another. Rather, they are to complement one another. We must work together if we are ever going to be effective in reaching the lost and growing the Body of Christ. So remember, what you do is vital. But so is the work of the person next to you who's doing some ministry that may be unfamiliar (and not so important) to you. The Kingdom of God is big enough to hold all of us and our unique gifts together, in the same Spirit, to edify both God and His Church.

I Corinthians 12:4-6

⁴Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

⁵And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

⁶And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

elder todd