Divisions
Good Morning,
We all love unity, and, to me, that is key in successful living, whether in marriage, business, or church.
Mark 3:25 “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”
Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
We also must remember that the Lord warned us that we will face trials and conflicts. We are told that there is none righteous and that all have sinned, and as such, we will clash in small or sometimes large ways. We cannot expect to enjoy the pleasures of unity all of the time and in every place. Jesus and Paul scolded Peter at different times; Peter had a serious difficulty with a married couple in Acts 5. Yet, we long for peace.
Our Lord warned us though; He did not come to bring peace!
Matthew 10:34 “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."
vs. 35 “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”
vs. 36 “And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.”
When we regard our homes and our faith, we need to accept that there may be divisions. In fact, there may be serious divisions and, as the Lord said, “variance.” No one likes divisions or tension; no sane person enjoys divisive words or behavior, yet our Lord assures us that it will happen. We may clash over food or decorating for Christmas, child discipline or relationship to in-laws, but there will be conflict. Churches may have conflict over finance, remodeling, or any number of reasons.
Personally, I cannot imagine picking my children above right. I heard a parent say they had to “back their child” in a situation where the child was clearly, going against the Bible. I disagree! An adult child has the right to choose their own path, but I do not have to act as if it is right. When my children were little, they were taught to do right; I did not condone improper behavior because they were my children. Right was right, and still is right. If I need to, I will separate from an adult child before I will separate from right. That is what Jesus said would happen at times. Remember what Jesus said, “I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother.” Notice the I AM COME, our Lord came knowing He would set one against another.
Luke 21:16 “And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.”
Matthew 24:10 “And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”
Family divisions will happen when we insert faith and a consecrated life into a casual worldly home. Even those sincerely serving God may struggle at times, just as Paul and Barnabas did over John Mark, which eventually split their ministry and they went separate ways.
I have known family members to get angry when someone got saved and quit drinking booze. Others were unhappy that their spouse or family member stopped doing drugs with them. When Christ enters into a life, and that life begins to change, friction in the relationship will naturally occur. The extent of the conflict will be determined by the people.
Remember the sad end of Absalom? A good-looking leader, hung dead by his hair in the woods. David’s first words were, “Is the young man, Absalom, safe?” David was soon scolded by Joab. Joab pointed out that David would rather have had this rebel son live and his army die than have his enemy killed. David’s response began to dissolve the unity and strength of the people who risked their lives for him. (2 Kings 19)
Right is vastly more important than a friend or even a family member.
Paul writes that some people will bring divisions in doctrine and instructs us to avoid them.
Romans 16:17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
Jesus assured us that offenses will come; it is a part of life, and we will assuredly face it while living among sinful men. He also pronounced a warning on those who cause the division.
Matthew 18:7 “Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!”
Pastor