The Spirit Of God Is Not Divided

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. [1 Corinthians 12.4-6] 

The significance of this passage is off the charts! Why?

Because of the context established right before it!

Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this. You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols. So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. [1 Corinthians 12.1-3]

Paul is describing the singularity of serving God versus the plurality of serving idols. Idols are not united but typically compete with one another. Where there is division, there are idols because the Spirit of God is not divided.

What does this say about all the sects, divisions and denominations of "Christianity" today? It says they are more closely related to idolatry than they are to following Christ. 

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul is effectively "circling back" to 1 Corinthians 1:

Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! [1 Corinthians 1.13] 

The very idea of division "in the Body of Christ" is actually not possible. Division is not possible when there is genuine partnership with Christ!

I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [1 Corinthians 1.4-9]

I will repeat: Where there is division, there are idols because the Spirit of God is not divided.

When the "Body of Christ" is divided, all restraints are off regarding gross idolatry elsewhere: 

In our day, the highly commercialized idols of debt, insurance, medicine and technology are all empowered and thrive because the Church is divided about the gifts and operation of the Holy Spirit (as is addressed in 1 Corinthians 12).

The proud disdain and hatred associated with such division in the Body of Christ (let's call it for what it is) is precisely why Paul segued into what we know as "the love chapter" - 1 Corinthians 13 from today's One Year Chronological Bible reading.

The Church's underwhelming powerlessness today therefore is the natural outcome of widespread idolatry that stands in glaring contrast to those who are actually saved:

But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. [1 Corinthians 1.24-25]

How absolutely amazing it is then that God's Ten Commandments addressed not only "one God - no idols" but also "Jesus" (the Sabbath), and "loving one another" (Commandments 5-10)!

In the Church's condition of division today, there is no compliance with the first three of the Ten Commandments evidenced by non-compliance with the last six of those Commandments, because there are mixed opinions about the 4th Commandment: the Sabbath of Rest, Jesus Christ.

Again, 

But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. [1 Corinthians 1.24-25]

Father, I can see that idols are the natural problem when those who call themselves "Your people" are divided. May those who are truly Yours distinguish themselves in the unity and love described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12 and 13. So be it.