A House Divided

[Saint]

Lately I've noticed 2 things. 1. Many Christians are not unified in their beliefs or actions. 2. Many Christians do not care that number one is true.

Looking at Romans 15:5-7 we learn 2 things: 1. having a spirit of unity will provide that we speak and believe the same thing, and 2. we should accept one another. To accept someone, though, is not to say, "I accept you" For example: if someone says that they accept someone else, yet they fight continuously on the same subject, or on many different subjects, then it's safe to say that they don't accept each other. We are told in James 3 that a tongue cannot bless and curse, yet many of us will give a blessing here, and yell and fight with someone over there.

Of course, it is not wrong to tell others that they are wrong. It's not wrong to show them their mistakes. But we are told in Ephesians 4:2-4 that we are to be gentle, patient, and be bearing with one another in love. We are to try as hard as we can to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Later on in that chapter, in verses 13-16, we see that until we have become unified in our faith and knowledge, we will continue to be infants, continue to be deceived, and continue to fall.

And after reading Titus 3:9-10, we see that we should avoid arguments that are foolish or unproductive. If someone is wrong or mistaken, tell them again and again. If they won't listen, then you've done what you can, let it go. You don't have to win every battle in order to win the war.

But unity is not only found in our interactions with one another. For instance, our own virtues should be unified in love according to Colossians 3:12-14. As I stated above, what we say and believe should be unified. When even our own thoughts are scattered, how are we going to ever bring a non-Christian to Christianity? When the body is divided, who is going to want to join? Division is a powerful way to destroy an enemy, and guess what. We're being divided.

And finally we see in Matthew 12:25 the most powerful reason we should be unified: a house divided, cannot stand

 

[loveschild]

For the people of God to be in one accord is what I pray a lot. In one accord under God. I feel very bad for any new comer to this sight. They ask a simple question and get 20 different answers and get to see first hand a bunch of Christians jumping on each other for their answers.

Fact is the devil has his foot in the way.

 

[Saint]

I've actually seen it happen, loveschild. Wasn't a pretty sight

 

[loveschild]

Sadly I see it all the time. But with you and me and others watching we can pray and ask Gods guidence. God loves the people even when they are in sin.

He wants them set free to be used by him.

People are naturally jealous of others.

There are times we must keep our mouths shut and only speak when God tells us to do so.

But know that you praying for the ones who are doing wrong is mighty power from God to help these people.

God has some people who see with his eyes.

The churches can be filled with people who don't see. And they have no clue that the devil is having his way through the people of the church.

Keep your focus on God is more powerful than all the evils in this world. And his angels are working for us. Call the Holy Spirit to help you and call Gods angels to help.

 

[mpaper345]

It may be true with some people who claim to be with Christ,of their fighting over what truth is,and lack of true love for each other,that they may separate from each other,not wanting to associate with each other,but God's house will never be divided and God's house will never fall.

The truth is that only somebody that acts like Christ led by the Spirit is a Christian,which means they will know the truth and show perfect love for people.

The people that are fighting and have lack of love are truly not a Christian;therefore the house will not be divided because they are not part of that house.They are fighting over the Bible as the world fights over things they believe,their fighting comes from the flesh and not the Spirit;therefore they cannot divide the house for they do not belong to the house,and even if they go to Church they cannot divide the house for God's house is always a great house which never can fall.


19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work(2 Timothy 2:19-21).

God said there are some to honor and some to dishonor but it is still a great house.
There will be hypocrites that go to Chruch and have a form of godliness but it is still a great house.

God's house can never be divided or fall no matter how people act,but certain individuals who do not act like Christ might separate themselves from other people but it does not affect the house.

Matt

 

[Saint]

It may be true with some people who claim to be with Christ,of their fighting over what truth is,and lack of true love for each other,that they may separate from each other,not wanting to associate with each other,but God's house will never be divided and God's house will never fall.

The truth is that only somebody that acts like Christ led by the Spirit is a Christian,which means they will know the truth and show perfect love for people.

The people that are fighting and have lack of love are truly not a Christian;therefore the house will not be divided because they are not part of that house.They are fighting over the Bible as the world fights over things they believe,their fighting comes from the flesh and not the Spirit;therefore they cannot divide the house for they do not belong to the house,and even if they go to Church they cannot divide the house for God's house is always a great house which never can fall.


19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work(2 Timothy 2:19-21).

God said there are some to honor and some to dishonor but it is still a great house.
There will be hypocrites that go to Chruch and have a form of godliness but it is still a great house.

God's house can never be divided or fall no matter how people act,but certain individuals who do not act like Christ might separate themselves from other people but it does not affect the house.

Matt

Yes, but to an outsider, the house of Christianity is crumbling. No one is going to want to go into a house that's crumbling.

 

[yahweh_is4me]

Lately I've noticed 2 things. 1. Many Christians are not unified in their beliefs or actions. 2. Many Christians do not care that number one is true.

Looking at Romans 15:5-7 we learn 2 things: 1. having a spirit of unity will provide that we speak and believe the same thing, and 2. we should accept one another. To accept someone, though, is not to say, "I accept you" For example: if someone says that they accept someone else, yet they fight continuously on the same subject, or on many different subjects, then it's safe to say that they don't accept each other. We are told in James 3 that a tongue cannot bless and curse, yet many of us will give a blessing here, and yell and fight with someone over there.

Of course, it is not wrong to tell others that they are wrong. It's not wrong to show them their mistakes. But we are told in Ephesians 4:2-4 that we are to be gentle, patient, and be bearing with one another in love. We are to try as hard as we can to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Later on in that chapter, in verses 13-16, we see that until we have become unified in our faith and knowledge, we will continue to be infants, continue to be deceived, and continue to fall.

And after reading Titus 3:9-10, we see that we should avoid arguments that are foolish or unproductive. If someone is wrong or mistaken, tell them again and again. If they won't listen, then you've done what you can, let it go. You don't have to win every battle in order to win the war.

But unity is not only found in our interactions with one another. For instance, our own virtues should be unified in love according to Colossians 3:12-14. As I stated above, what we say and believe should be unified. When even our own thoughts are scattered, how are we going to ever bring a non-Christian to Christianity? When the body is divided, who is going to want to join? Division is a powerful way to destroy an enemy, and guess what. We're being divided.

And finally we see in Matthew 12:25 the most powerful reason we should be unified: a house divided, cannot stand

wow you wrote a awesome one I remember talking about this topic ! Hi 5vs ya ... GOD Bless

 

[Saint]

wow you wrote a awesome one I remember talking about this topic ! Hi 5vs ya ... GOD Bless

Thank you!

 

[charisenexcelcis]

It is a good thing for believers to be in unity. We must also remember that light and darkness have no fellowship with one another, but if we are called out of darkness and into His glorious light, all things are made know, we become transparent and in that transparency we find that we have nothing to hide, so there is nothing that stands between us as there is nothing that stands between us and God.

 

[Scotth1960]

I've actually seen it happen, loveschild. Wasn't a pretty sight

Dear friends, Not reading the Bible is not the problem. It is reading the Bible, but not understanding the Bible. Not everything in the Bible is equally easy-to-understand. There will, inevitably, be some Scriptures which we do not understand. It is safe to say, no Christian on earth today fully understands Revelation chapter 1 through Revelation chapter 22. The whole book of Revelation is, FOR THE MOST PART, a sealed, CLOSED book. It is best to leave reading that book to God, as there is A WARNING against MISINTERPRETING IT. It is better to remain satisfied with no real knowledge of the Book of Revelation, as the time of the end is surely not necessarily yet. It could be in our times, but it is not clear that it IS in our times. NOBODY KNOWS THE DAY NOR THE HOUR. In Erie PA Scott R. Harrington

 

[DanuckInUSA]

I was waiting for someone to throw a wrench in the works. There it is. The multiple understandings of the Bible are what cause the divisions.

 

[JimM1228]

here is my solution to this problem. many read the bible for the wrong reasons, and many read it for the right reasons with the wrong mentality. read the Bible from the inside out, no preconceived notions or ideas, no judgements and no expectations. Soak it in for what it is. again from the INSIDE OUT. Not the outside in. if you would like me to ellaborate id be glad to, however i challenge you guys to read a book by francis chan called "forgotten God" which talks about this along with many other things, God Bless.

 

[trust_in_the_name]

According to the biblical perspective, there can be and is unity among believers, and this is what I have found to be true.

10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1 Corinthians 1:10)

Believers all speak the same thing. There are no divisions among them. They are perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Believers keep the unity of the Spirit.

11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11)

8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; (1 Peter 3:8)

Believers are of one mind.

27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, (Philippians 1:27)

Believers stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (Philippians 2:2)

Believers are like-minded, are of one accord, and are of one mind.

16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. (Philippians 2:16)

Believers are of the same mind.

6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:6)

Believers hear each other. Those who hear them know God, and therefore are believers themselves. Those who do not hear them are not of God and therefore are not believers. It is by this that they know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)

Believers contend earnestly for the faith.

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Believers cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17)

20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. (1 John 2:20-21)

27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. (1 John 2:27)

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (John 14:26)

Believers have all been made to drink into one Spirit, the Spirit of truth, which is their Helper, and He abides in them, dwells within them, and is with them forever. They have an anointing from the Holy One, and they know all things; they know the truth, and they know that no lie is of the truth. The anointing abides in them, and they do not need that anyone teach them. The anointing teaches them concerning all things; the Holy Spirit teaches them all things.

 

[gb9]

yes, the Sprit does teach us,but one issue that there is with that is this:we are to test the spirts.the Bible must be the final word.no one likes to say this,but people are often wrong.this is one of the biggest problems with the Church: people just take someone's word for things,and they don't study the Word.

 

[Adrianv125]

The true house of Christ is not crumbling, those of us whom he has called his brothers and sisters, those who do the will of the father, we are of one mind and of one spirit following after the example of Jesus and showing our love to Him by keeping his commands and submitting our will to Him alone. Those who do the opposite are not part of the house of God.

 

[Free2LoveJesus]

Lately I've noticed 2 things. 1. Many Christians are not unified in their beliefs or actions. 2. Many Christians do not care that number one is true.

Looking at Romans 15:5-7 we learn 2 things: 1. having a spirit of unity will provide that we speak and believe the same thing, and 2. we should accept one another. To accept someone, though, is not to say, "I accept you" For example: if someone says that they accept someone else, yet they fight continuously on the same subject, or on many different subjects, then it's safe to say that they don't accept each other. We are told in James 3 that a tongue cannot bless and curse, yet many of us will give a blessing here, and yell and fight with someone over there.

Of course, it is not wrong to tell others that they are wrong. It's not wrong to show them their mistakes. But we are told in Ephesians 4:2-4 that we are to be gentle, patient, and be bearing with one another in love. We are to try as hard as we can to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Later on in that chapter, in verses 13-16, we see that until we have become unified in our faith and knowledge, we will continue to be infants, continue to be deceived, and continue to fall.

And after reading Titus 3:9-10, we see that we should avoid arguments that are foolish or unproductive. If someone is wrong or mistaken, tell them again and again. If they won't listen, then you've done what you can, let it go. You don't have to win every battle in order to win the war.

But unity is not only found in our interactions with one another. For instance, our own virtues should be unified in love according to Colossians 3:12-14. As I stated above, what we say and believe should be unified. When even our own thoughts are scattered, how are we going to ever bring a non-Christian to Christianity? When the body is divided, who is going to want to join? Division is a powerful way to destroy an enemy, and guess what. We're being divided.

And finally we see in Matthew 12:25 the most powerful reason we should be unified: a house divided, cannot stand

Saint I love this post!!! You have highlighted the one issue that I have been campaigning about since I joined the website! Keep up the great work!!

 

[Bethan]

Amen + 2 me the bible is ver inportant xx let me say it again VERY LOL i Love 2 read the bible xx i see it as God`s word which i know it is and the truth Amen + i do find alot of it i dont understand xx

 

[DanuckInUSA]

Love to live the Bible.

 

[resurrection33]

Lately I've noticed 2 things. 1. Many Christians are not unified in their beliefs or actions. 2. Many Christians do not care that number one is true.

As Paul pointed out, none of us knows everything yet. Therefore, there will be differences of opinion, one might think.

 

[trust_in_the_name]

As Paul pointed out, none of us knows everything yet. Therefore, there will be differences of opinion, one might think.

10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1 Corinthians 1:10)

1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3)

11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11)

8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; (1 Peter 3:8)

27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, (Philippians 1:27)

2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (Philippians 2:2)

16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. (Philippians 2:16)

6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:6)

If there are differences of opinion, how are we to "speak the same thing?" How can there be "no divisions among [us]?" How are we to be "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment?" How are we to "keep the unity of the spirit?" How are we to be "of one mind?" How are we to "stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel?" How are we to be "like-minded," "of one accord, and" "of one mind?" How are we to be "of the same mind?" How are we to "hear each other?" For it is by "hear[ing] each other" that "we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."

4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' " (Matthew 4:4)

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:27)

14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. (Acts 24:14)

If we are to have differences of opinion, why is the standard given in scripture "every thought," "the whole counsel of God?" How are we to "live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God?" Why are we to "cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God?"

14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, (Ephesians 4:14)

When I read scripture, I don't see "differences of opinion" but rather that "we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting."

9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. (2 John 9)

3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. (1 Timothy 6:3-5)

We are to "abide in the doctrine of Christ." The standard is "teach[ing] otherwise." Otherwise from what? From "the word of our Lord Jesus Christ, and" "the doctrine which accords with godliness," in other words, the whole of scripture.

12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17)

20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. (1 John 2:20-21)

27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. (1 John 2:27)

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (John 14:26)

How can we possibly live up to such a high standard? Because we "have an anointing from the Holy One, and [we] know all things." We "know the truth." "[T]he anointing which [we] have received from Him abides in [us], and [we] do not need that anyone teach [us]." "[T]he same anointing teaches [us] concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught [us], [we] will abide in Him." "[T]he Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in [His] name, He will teach [us] all things, and bring to [our] remembrance all things that [He] said to [us]."

And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. (John 10:4-5)

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (John 10:27)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)