“For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.” (1 Corinthians 11:19)
The only benefit to division is that it allows us to see the difference between the two sides and decide which path contains truth. If there was no division within religion, how could you decide what was right and wrong? Instead, we can know them by their fruits.
When religious movements bear the fruits of scandal, abuse, denigration of children and/or women, corruption within leadership, or war and violence… those differences help you to realize those religions aren’t worthy of approval.
Factions let us get to the facts: What is the bedrock of their beliefs? Who decides what is right or wrong? What is their source of authority… is it Scripture, tradition, or men?
I hate division and factions as much as the next guy, but even Paul admitted that division has one benefit: it lets us get to the bottom of things, so we can approve of what is right and condemn what is wrong.
Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites