All posts by jbevans

I Pledge Allegiance to What?

Church, Church Bulletin, Culture, Daily living, Government, Politics,
Christians and Politics

I remember saying the Pledge of Allegiance from my earliest days. We said it at sporting events, in Aunt Ogla’s Kindergarten class, and in just about every public assembly. In Boy Scouts, we placed great emphasis on the care, honor, and presentation of the American flag because it was the best-known symbol of our country.

But we never said the pledge or presented the colors in our worship assembly.

There is a Difference

As a child, I didn’t understand. If you could stop all activity at a football game (and that’s some undertaking in Alabama), stand, place your hand over your heart, sing the national anthem, and say the pledge, why not in worship? Adults understood the division between the nation and the church, between the secular and the holy, and between the common and the divine.

Some have forgotten that distinction.

The church of my Lord does not belong to the United States, nor is it subservient to it in any way. When Jesus was asked about paying taxes his response was simple: “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). We have obligations both to the government and to God. Paul, by inspiration, commanded obedience to the government (Romans 13:1 – 7). In his life, Paul acknowledged the government’s authority while benefiting from its laws (Acts 25:11).

The Roman Empire was the ultimate secular authority in Jesus’ and Paul’s day. They were pagans and hostile to both Christians and Jews. But, Jesus commanded obedience to Rome. Jesus doesn’t restrict obedience to democracies. He commands that Christians obey all governments, including communist, fascist, monarchal, socialist, theocratic (think Islamic in Iran, Hindu in India), and even authoritarian governments like North Korea.

Except…

First Things First

A Christian’s first allegiance is to the Kingdom of Christ (c.f. Colossians 1:13, 14). Peter and John rejected the authority of the Sanhedrin. When ordered to stop preaching about Jesus’ death, and especially His resurrection, the apostles’ response was sharp: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). In their previous meeting, they told the rulers Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19, 20). In other words, No!  We won’t stop preaching Jesus! Consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God.”

Christians have no divided allegiance. Our allegiance is to an “otherworldly” kingdom, one not of this earth. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). We now live in a world governed by evil (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4). We are to be the light of this world and the salt of the earth so that we might improve and remove the darkness while showing good works (Matthew 5:13 – 16).

Christian, you belong to Christ. You are his servant. You live in a dark world which you brighten by the love of Christ. Pledge allegiance to the Lord!

(I am not suggesting we stop saying the pledge to the flag. Just keep first things first.)

Christians & Politics THE Kingdom

Politics,

Kingdoms rise and fall, but there is one that will never fall. The Israelites, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, and the Egyptians all collapsed. It was once said that the sun never set on the British Empire. Yet, today, Great Britain is but a shadow of the great empire it once was. Almost 2000 years ago, a THE Kingdom began that exists today and will never fall.

Earthly kingdoms have an inherent flaw from which they cannot recover: they ultimately depend upon the whims of humanity. Whether the Kingdom is a monarchy, a democracy, or a totalitarian state, at some level, people make the decisions for the government and set the direction for that government.

In 1 Samuel 8, a “great idea” came to Israel. They wanted a king so that they could be like the nations around them. What a mistake that was. Eventually, as a direct result of poor leadership, the Kingdom would split. The majority of the Kingdom would find themselves constantly in idolatry. Assyria took them into captivity, from which they never returned as a nation.

The other half of the nation also struggled with idolatry. Weakness in their leadership resulted in 70 years of enslavement. They returned from that captivity but never again saw the glory their Kingdom once had. That nation, Judah, like every kingdom before, would be utterly destroyed in 70 AD.

Despite Israel’s failings, something permanent would arise. Isaiah 2 speaks of “the mountain of the House of the Lord.” In Daniel 2:44, the prophet writes,

“…in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a Kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the Kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever.”

Neither Isaiah nor Daniel spoke of an earthly Kingdom. They spoke of something divine, something eternal, something we can enjoy today. They foresaw a Kingdom headed by the Lord and not by mankind. It would be a return to the kind of Kingdom Israel had before they abandoned God as their king (1 Samuel 8:7).

The church was established in Acts 2 and is the permanent kingdom of Isaiah 2 and Daniel 2. It is the church established in Acts 2. Acts 2:41, 47, should be viewed in connection with Colossians 1:13, 14. When the church was established in Acts, God added people to it. In Colossians 1, it is God who transfers us into the kingdom of his beloved son. In 1 Corinthians 15:34, Paul writes that Jesus will deliver the kingdom to God at the end of time.

With God, Jesus is called “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (1 Timothy 6:13–16). Kings have kingdoms and the Lord has the church. Ephesians 2:19 calls us “fellow citizens.” You, I, and all Christians are citizens of that kingdom that will never fall. Led by our Sovereign, we will reign with him in glory!

Choosing a Bible Translation

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Bible Translations open bible

Dozens of different Bible translations fill bookstore shelves. Choosing a Bible translation can be confusing. People select their translations based on their current needs and desires. It is impossible to identify the best translation for all circumstances. The best translation is one that you will use and read. Some see these differing Bibles as proof of confusion in the religious world. They close their Bibles and throw their hands up in exasperation. They declare that God simply cannot be known, so why try?

Inspiration of the Bible Translations

The Bible asserts that it Is the Inspired Word of God.

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit”  (2 Peter 1:19-21).

A lot is happening in this short passage but notice, particularly the last sentence. Men had no role in crafting God’s message. They spoke as the power of the Holy Spirit moved them. This is Biblical inspiration. Paul says that “all Scripture is breathed out by God”  (1 Timothy 3:16). Jesus says that God’s word is truth (John 17:17). God delivered his true word through man and ensured that it was accurately recorded.

It is evident that modern translations do not enjoy this same certainty, but they are very reliable. All modern translations are periodically upgraded to reflect the ancient text better. Among the most respected translations, there is no doctrinal disagreement that hinges on a challenging translation.

The original documents that make up the Bible, those parchments that were actually written by Peter, Paul, and other Bible writers, are lost to history. However, thousands of copies, coming from different times and places, are used to reconstruct the original text. Taken in its totality, there are no significant differences based upon a misunderstanding of the original text.

Mainline Bible Translations

There are a handful of translations that are universally considered reliable but not perfect. Each strives to be accurate and faithful to the original text of the Bible. And each teaches a person how to come to God for salvation. This non-exhaustive list might include the American Standard Version, The English Standard Version, The New American Standard Bible, the New King James Bible, and others. These seek to remain as close to the original Greek text as possible (for the New Testament, Hebrew for the Old Testament) while providing an understandable English copy.

Colloquial translations are also available. These include The Message, The Living Bible, and perhaps others. In my judgment, these are inferior translations and are not suitable for serious Bible study. Modern, mainline Bible translations are very easy to read and understand.

The Purpose of Bible Translations

A Bible translation’s only purpose is to communicate God’s word accurately. As language changes, translations are updated to offer the best wording for the present day. For example, the King James Version was first completed in 1611. Most recently, it was updated in 1982. Why? Because we no longer speak like we did in 1611.

It is impossible to produce a readable Bible translation that is word-for-word from the ancient texts. Instead, scholars from across academia work to produce a translation that is first accurate and then readable. This last part, readability, explains why there are so many translations today. The mainline translations seek to keep the language updated and fresh for the modern reader. They have replaced “thee” and “thou” with “you.” They did that because that is how we speak today.

Choosing a Bible Translation

Here are 5 tips to help you select a personal Bible.

  1. Choose a translation you will read. Obvious, right? A Bible on the shelf is of little use. Select a translation that you can read easily. Have a second translation available on your phone (probably for free) for comparison.
  2. Stick with a mainline translation. You are committing to read God’s word, not somebody’s idea of what God should have said.
  3. Choosing a Bible translation by a committee, not an individual, is best. The best translations are almost always prepared by a diverse group of scholars from many different faith groups. Their biases (we all have them) tend to cancel out, thus publishing a solid text. Even well-intentioned people can err.
  4. Avoid “Study Bibles” for now. A solid study bible can be an excellent tool. But it can also be a distraction. Initially, you will want to focus on the Bible text. Having access to other tools will become important.
  5. Select a “red-letter edition.” These have the words of Jesus printed in red. This makes it easier to follow his conversations, lessons, and prayers.

If you think of other tips that have helped you, please let us know in the comments below. The important takeaway is to own a Bible that you will use. It will change your life!

3 Things That Will Last Forever

Church Bulletin, Encouragement, Family Issues, , ,

The Appian Way is an ancient road built by the Roman Empire 312 years before Christ. Today, portions of it remain, and you can walk along the ancient cobbled stones. I wonder if the Roman slave realized how long his work would last. The Mona Lisa may be the most recognizable painting ever created. Da Vinci may have spent 12 years working on it. Today, it’s over 500 years old. Did he know it would be his crowning achievement? Some things just last. But here are 3 things that will last forever.

Some things just last.

Family Lasts

The first family was created because God saw that “it was not good that man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18). He fashioned a woman from the man, and she became his helper. The two produced three children and thus formed the first family. Despite the Cain/Abel tragedy, I suspect Adam and Eve still loved their children until their final days.

Paul reminds Timothy of the legacy of faith that flowed from his grandmother and his mother, and Paul remembers his own ancestor’s faith (2 Timothy 1:3- 6). Family always passes down more than just DNA.

Friends Last

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity,” writes Solomon in Proverbs 17:17. Social media causes us to confuse friends and contacts. A thousand Facebook friends is largely meaningless. But one close friend in real life is priceless.

A man of many companions may come to ruin,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

(Proverbs 18:24)

Cultivate a few close friends. Invest your time into their lives and allow them to do the same with you. Serve them sincerely, and they will surely return the blessing. At the day of death, we never regret a close friend.

Faith Lasts

More than anything else, a strong faith lasts. A strong faith in Christ will follow you through the darkest days. It will accompany you to the grave and then beyond. The Psalmist wrote these familiar words: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). In David’s longest night of suffering, his faith bolstered his confidence. He faced death, as we all will, with a solid faith in his redeemer.

When the last pitch is thrown, when the final tackle is made, and the closing song is silenced, we are left with faith that endures beyond the grave. Ask God to build your faith. Open your eyes for the evidence of his work in your life. You will be buoyed above the greatest waves of this life.

Family, friends, and faith. One with all three is blessed indeed!

Silence

Church Bulletin, Encouragement, ,
silence

Silence. We fear silence. It’s to be avoided at all costs. We keep the television on at home and the radio playing in the car. If a newscaster is quiet for too long, he gets embarrassed. When the preacher pauses, we get nervous. When was the last time you and your spouse rode along in silence?

There’s actually a lot of sound, just not much worth hearing. Sometimes, silence is desired. It’s healing, even therapeutic. Leave the earbuds in the car and walk through nature. The sound of birds, crickets, and a chorus of basso profundo frogs is the perfect inoculation against the ruckus of the world.

People talking without speaking

People hear without listening

Simon & Garfunkel, The Sound of Silence (1964)

The folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel bemoaned the silence despite a chorus of noise all around. Nothing was said worth listening to. There was only The Sound of Silence.

They were correct 60 years ago, and they are still right today.

Silence. When Words Hurt

Sometimes, it’s better to be silent. When tragedy struck Job, his three friends came and sat in silence with him. They said nothing for a week (Job 2:11 – 13). There are times when words are ineffective and may bring more pain. In tragedy, there are no magical missives. A gentle hand on the shoulder may be best.

We may become too aggressive in our desire to show concern and offer aid. We don’t mean to cause harm, but sometimes, week intentioned words are misheard or misinterpreted. As students of human behavior, we can sense when we are getting too close or too personal. “I love you” may be the only words they need.

Silence. When Words Help

There are times when carefully directed discourse can bring encouragement and healing to the hurting soul.

Paul said it this way: Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person (Colossians 4:6). He seems to be talking about our interactions with unbelievers. But one key phrase is so useful for us today. He says, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” Have you eaten food without enough salt? Unsalted speech is also tasteless.

The king questioned why Nehemiah was sad. Nehemiah explained that his home, Jerusalem, lay in ruins. The king asked what Nehemiah was asking for. Then, before saying another word, Nehemiah “prayed to the God of Heaven” (Nehemiah 2:4). The King gave Nehemiah all that he asked for and more. Prayers need not be elaborate or long. Pray before speaking.

Our parents and grandparents often advised us to count to 10 before answering or speaking. Words can help but only when well considered. Never respond in anger for you will surely regret it later.

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger…” wrote James (James 1:19).

Slow down. Think. Make sure you say something worth hearing.

Gideon: How’d He Do It?

Daily living, Encouragement, ,
Gideon

There are many spectacular events in the Bible. There were the plagues of Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea and later the Jordan. The Blind and deaf were healed and people were raised from  the dead. In a separate category, there was the Creation, the Virgin Birth, and the Resurrection. But there is one miracle, actually a series of miracles, that has always fascinated me: Gideon’s victory over the Midianites in Judges 6 – 8.

Israel had returned to their wicked ways, and as punishment, God allowed Midian to enslave them. Gideon is an unremarkable man from an unremarkable family in an unremarkable tribe in an enslaved nation (6:15). Yet, he is told by an angel that he “shall strike the Midianites as one man” (6:16). After three different, convincing, miracles, Gideon attacks the army of Midian with 300 soldiers divided into three companies. The Midianite army numbered 135,000 swordsmen( 8:10)! That’s a ratio of 450:1! I don’t think the vaunted Navy Seal Team Six would take on such a battle. But one more thing: Gideon’s army carried no weapons (see 7:20 for their armaments). How could this unremarkable man command one of the greatest victories in Israelite history?

The answer is pretty straightforward: He didn’t.

The victory over Midian was God’s work. Gideon was just an obedient servant. He wasn’t a great tactician, and he was not a great warrior. He wasn’t much of a leader at all. He was just a servant.

But he and his countrymen were prone to taking undeserved credit. In Judges 7:2, the Lord said, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’” In verse 9, God tells Gideon, concerning the Midianite army, “I have given it into your hand.” This was no common victory; it was all the power of God.

While Gideon was not responsible for the victory, his faith and obedience were required. The three chapters in view record three moments when God helped build Gideon’s faith. In Judges 6:36 -40, Gideon asked for and received two miracles, which boosted his faith. He asked for a fleece to be laid on the ground and moistened with dew while the surrounding ground would be dry. The Lord’s angel caused that to happen. Next, Gideon reversed the request. This time, the ground would be wet and the fleece dry. Again, the miracle occurred, and Gideon was encouraged.

The third faith-builder came when Gideon and his servant were sent to infiltrate the Midianite camp. They overheard soldiers talking of a dream in which a cake of bread tumbled into their camp, struck the tent, and flipped it over. The soldier said, “This is no other than the sword of Gideon, the son of Joash, a man of Israel. God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp” (vs. 14).

With renewed faith, Gideon was prepared to obey God even in what seemed an odd battle strategy. The Israelite battalion was now a small company of soldiers. The 300 were further split into 100-man contingents. With no weapons in hand, Israel defeated the mighty Midianites.

The victory belonged to the Lord, but Gideon’s faith and obedience were necessary, too. Could God have won without Gideon? Of course. But he chose to use a mortal to accomplish his work.

You and I fight battles daily. Faith and obedience are required. It was hard for Gideon to see the outcome, especially given the odd tactics. But he believed and was obedient! Faith and obedience are simple tools for accomplishing great things for God. If we trust God’s lovingkindness and obey his simple commands, we will gain the greatest victory of all!

second coming and solar eclipse

The Second Coming and the Solar Eclipse

Apologetics, Eschatology, ,

The Second Coming

The Second Coming of Jesus is real. It stands today as certain Bible prophecy. Jesus Himself said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3). No Christian denies a return of Jesus at some point. But, and this is important, Scripture never specifies when Jesus will return. Instead, He tells his disciples to watch and be ready for His return (Matthew 25:13, Luke 21:34).

The certainty of Jesus’ return and the uncertainty of the date give rise to a roiling ocean of foolishness and false teaching. It hurts and disappoints those who trust in it, but it is also fodder for news reports that poke fun at all Christians.

The solar eclipse of April 8, 2024, is the latest “sign” that Jesus is about to return. Eric Vanden Eykel of Ferrum College writes about the constant predicting of Christ’s return through atmospheric and celestial signs. He writes, “Religious theories surrounding this eclipse are part of a larger pattern of attempts to find meaning in astronomical events that goes back thousands of years.” In other words, people were erroneously predicting the Second Coming long before our modern-day charlatans.  

But Jesus said, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only (Matthew 24:36, c.f. verse 50). Clearly, these preachers must think Jesus was mistaken!

Book authors and televangelists like Hal Lindsey and John Hagee frequently promote random events as signs of Jesus’ near return. The passage of time debunked Lindsey’s claim that Armageddon would come in the 1980’s. Eykel writes, “Lindsey was wrong, of course; the 1980s did not bring about the apocalypse. But this way of thinking – of seeking to find significance in various random events like eclipses – persists among some Christians.” Hagee is just as wrong.

Christians should vigorously oppose nonsensical end-time teaching. First, because it’s wrong, and second because it harms the faith in the eyes of the lost.

However, stunning phenomena like a total eclipse, a meteor, or a hurricane, bear witness to the power of the Creator. The perfectly tuned Universe which allows for precise predictions of the eclipse’s path and timing, speaks to the demand for a designer. God’s glory is on full display. Why would anyone want to add such silliness to what will be evident in the heavens?

The Bible says Jesus is coming again. The Bible does not say when. Be satisfied in Christ now and live watchfully and expectantly. It’s time for the speculation to pass.

comment, question

Comments Are Welcomed

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Your comments are welcome here. You will find a comment box at the bottom of each article. Your thoughts may be briefly held for moderation because spam tends to clutter websites. I take no offense to your statements. I do ask that you conduct yourself with a Christ-like nature as we all search for the truth of God’s word.

So, go ahead, comment! I’m waiting to hear from you.

Division

How to Stop Serious Church Division

Church

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10)

Millions of individuals make up the church. No two are exactly alike. Because of these millions of differences, the church is inherently diverse. Sometimes, these natural differences rise to the level of church division. I’d like for us to think about these differences and gain some understanding of when those differences become displeasing to Jesus.

Divisions in the church often focus on 1 Corinthians . A friend of this website inquired whether Paul was speaking of denominational differences or differences within the local congregation. He observed, correctly that the context of 1 Corinthians 1 is the local congregation. We must be careful when extrapolating from a localized context into a broader, even global, context of application. Let’s study this passage in this context and see if we can reasonably apply his teachings to the present world of Christendom. I think so.

The Context of 1 Corinthians

The apostle Paul planted the church in Corinth (Acts 18, 1 Corinthians 2:6) and worked with the Corinthian church for about 18 months (Acts 18:11). Some scholars believe that Paul made as many as three visits to Corinth and wrote as many as four letters. The apostle worried about the faithfulness, growth, and stability of all the churches (2 Corinthians 11:28) and had numerous concerns about the brethren in Corinth.

As the first issue addressed in the Corinthian letter, the budding church division is serious. The apostle spends as much space discussing the problem as he devotes to the incestuous man of chapter 5. Members of the local church were so concerned that they wrote Paul for guidance.

The Nature of the Problem                                                

Brethren in Corinth were separating themselves based on their allegiance to their teachers. Even those devoted, at least in word, to Jesus had fallen into the divisions.  These groups were dividing or denominating themselves into discreet groups. There is no evidence that these groups deviated from the unchangeable doctrines of the faith. Hence the importance of reminding the brethren of their unity in Christ and their membership in the one body.

From time to time, I’ve termed the Corinthian division “incipient denominationalism.” The church is divided by those who believe in Christ but teach differently than He did. Protestants agree on little. Indeed, given the differing doctrines that divide us, it is no wonder that the world pays little heed to the gospel. Let us abandon denominationalism now. The ever-growing number of churches that cannot agree with one another hinder evangelism.

Let us all stand together on the foundation of God’s word alone. Let us reject any teaching that is not surrounded by and supported by the teaching of Jesus and his inspired writers.

But when does a grouping become a division? When does it rise to sinfulness? When does immaterial separation become material, the irrelevant, relevant?

How We Group

Shared Experiences

People group themselves with others who have shared similar experiences. Men tend to hang around men, women with women. Those who like to hunt and fish seek others of similar hobbies. Mothers of small children seek support from other women. When you travel and coincidentally meet someone from your hometown, you feel an association with them (c.f. Acts 18:13). Sports fans coalesce around others who hold the same team allegiance.

Shared Trauma

Suffering causes us to seek others who can truly empathize with our pain. Chronic illness, or the death of a spouse or a child, cannot be understood by those who have not also experienced a similar loss. As a minister, I try to understand, but I can only go so far. People need others who have passed through the same dark valley to comprehend their struggle.

For example, the grip of addiction has given rise to social groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, as well as related support groups for families of the addicted. Shared trauma forges strong bonds between sufferers, hopefully for their betterment. The apostles clung to one another after Jesus’ death (Acts 1:12 – 14). They shared the terrible loss of Jesus in a way few others could understand.

Shared Faith

Peter writes to those who share the same faith with him (2 Peter 1:1). This “like, precious faith” (NKJV), binds individuals together into a kingdom of righteousness. Strength comes from association with others who hold the same beliefs. God, in great wisdom, brought his people together in the one body, the church (Colossians 1:18), because in the body, common blessings and a common strength are found. This union revolves around and is centered on Jesus. The Lord’s Supper is a moment of personal and shared reflection as we gather with one another and Christ (Luke 22:14 – 23).

Division as a Matter of Priority is Serious Church Division

Good things can become bad. There are at least two ways this can happen. Maybe you can think of others. If so, please add them to the comments.

Elevation is Serious Church Division

Good things become bad when we view our social group as more important than others. This superior viewpoint denigrates others who are not in the group while giving unwarranted praise to those in the group. For example, members of a Bible class might think they are spiritually superior because they attend the class, while others do not. Surely, those others are less Christlike!

Jesus taught us to affect the world positively. He called his followers “the salt of the earth” in Matthew 5:13. We are to have an impact in every corner of life. That includes the home, the workplace, the school, and the public square. But a chosen candidate must never upstage our unity in Christ. All political candidates have serious failings. As we try to affect society as salt, we make choices. But it’s easy for those choices to become so rigid we allow them to cause church division. Shameful!

Sports rivalries may evolve into angry disputes over which team is better. What began as joking and good-natured ribbing after a victory may turn hurtful and generate anger. Our sports group is not that important. Whether my team wins tonight or loses, there will be no difference for me tomorrow. But the unity of the body of Christ has enormous implications now, tomorrow, and into eternity.

Any earthly issue that is elevated above unity with Christ is sinful. When we elevate the things elevated by Jesus, we stand on solid ground.

Exclusion is Serious Church Division

Things can become bad when we exclude others from the fellowship that Christ has added.

Historically, the church division has been caused by many immaterial things. We’ve divided between rich and poor, black and white, republican and democrat. We have saddened our Lord by these unimportant divisions.

The brothers in Corinth had coalesced into small groups around their favorite preacher. They may have been excluding others from their groups and shunning them. It’s not clear what the mechanics of the issue were, but whatever it was, Paul sternly rebuked them.

Still, The church must draw lines sometimes. We must exclude the divisive person (Titus 3:10; Romans 16:17; Galatians 5:20; 2 John 10). We defend the faith (Jude 3), and rebuke where needed (Luke 17:3). Our mission is to draw lines where Jesus drew them and nowhere else. No one has the authority to change the tiniest command of Christ. We must always stand for truth. What we must not do is exclude from our fellowship our fellow brethren in the Lord. We must not contribute to church division.

5 Ways to Stop Church Division

  1. Develop a sense of personal humility. When we elevate ourselves above others, we create seeds of division. Paul wrote, Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). A humble spirit is a key spiritual attribute that we should develop. It will help us, but it will also help stifle division from self-elevation.
  2. Actively associate with many different people. You cannot learn about a woman from a man. You cannot learn about a black man from a white man. You cannot learn about a Republican from a Democrat. Jesus sought associations with all social strata. In John 8 Jesus showed true compassion to an adultress. In Luke 7:36ff, Jesus ate with a Pharisee. In Matthew 8:5ff, he enters the home of Roman Centurion. As we broaden our circle of friends, we learn to love.
  3. Be the Mixer. Ok, this one can be tricky, but create events involving people from all walks of life. Be the one who brings people together. Help others see the value in the strengths of others. Jesus’ apostles included a tax collector and a zealot. There’s an example of being a mixer.
  4. Refuse to Build Walls. We must learn to say “no” to divisive thoughts, plans, and actions. Help others tear down walls, but never hand a brick to a wall-builder. When Jesus died, the veil of the Temple was torn apart (Mark 15:38). Division between God and man was removed. When Cornelius, a Gentile, was baptized, the division between Jews and the rest of humanity was shattered (Acts 11:18). Jesus was a wall-wrecker, not a wall-builder.
  5. Add Unity to Your Prayer List The prayer of Jesus in John 17, uttered moments before his betrayal and arrest, includes this precious plea: “Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one“ (John 17:11). We should mimic His prayer every day to combat church division.

Blood really is thicker than water, especially the blood of Jesus. Let us stand together and stop church division! Will you tear down barriers between yourself and others? Will you be a builder?