BEWARE OF DIVISION AND THOSE WHO CAUSE IT I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. (Romans 16:17) Recently I came across a post by a particular preacher online and he and his group made the declaration which basically said that if other preachers are not preaching the cross like they are, or if they are not saying The cross enough like they are, or if you are going to a church where the cross is not being preached like they think it should, then its all false. Then I thought...who made them the police? Yet time and time again we see elements of division being carried into the church and its not uniting the body of Christ, but dividing it. There are two (2) aspects of division we need to understand that both Paul and Jesus warned about. The first division we need to stay clear from is where someone is teaching false doctrine. In Romans 16:17 (posted above), Paul outlines the kind of division we need to beware of, when people come into the body preaching another gospel. If Christ and the cross is not being preached as the main message - then something is wrong, run from it. If they preach another gospel, another way, or add to it their own doctrines which in turn take away from the central message of the cross as the only means for salvation, healing, prosperity and so on - leave it alone. The second aspect of division is what I call exclusiveness or inclusiveness meaning, when a particular individual, church, organization or group presents themselves as the only ones who have the right message the way they see it and then begin to attack other preachers, ministries who might not preach it the same way as they do, that is another kind of division we do not need. There was a situation found in Mark 9:38-41 where Jesus was told by his disciples that they encountered someone casting out demons in the name of Jesus, and John stopped him. But Jesus had this to say about their attempt to hinder another persons work, Forbid him not, for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he who is not against us is on our part. Too many times I see preachers and particular groups reject another preacher simply because they did not walk in their group - this is wrong and it shows a hostility on their part to at least give the other brother (or sister) the option to work within their calling as God leads. Division is a deadly spirit which kills the spirit of others, it can cause undue harm and ultimately hinder someone in their walk. And Jesus made it very clear in Mark 9:44-48 that we are NEVER to cause another to stumble, regardless if we agree with their style or presentation of the gospel. If they are preaching Christ, then rejoice! If they are teaching falsehood, it will be exposed in due season. But never should we come to a place in our lives where we selectively pick and choose whose doing what in the kingdom lesser than us, we do not have that right, it is enough that we all do that which we are called to do. Yet, there are some within the body, some I personally know, who go out of their way to ridicule, berate and accuse other preachers for not preaching as they do, this is division, this is unscriptural and this is wrong. Yes, there are wolves in our midst, and we have a duty to expose them openly, however, when it is concerning another member of the body who might not be apart of one particular group, they turn on that individual not because they disagree with their message, but their message does not fall in line with their particular way they like it preached or taught, this is foolishness, and why many are kept from the kingdom because of this. I believe its like this, one should do all one can to help people into the kingdom, rather than hindering their spiritual development, and thus excluding them out right. Its no secret I do not like Denominations - I dont. Ive seen too much corruption in the ranks and files of men, but I also understand that not all leaders in these Denominations are bad people, but the elements remain that many still get hurt in the process. Nothing ever good comes from being divisive, or being selective in who we choose to fellowship with, yet with many it still remains an unfortunate reality. If we are to unite and come together, it must be done in the spirit of meekness and love and gentleness, not with force or hostility or intimidation, not as a spiritual bully, but in the spirit of love. That is the only way the church is going to survive in the future - uniting out of love, not thru fear.
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 18:38:37 +0000
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