DIVIDE AND CONQUER

“And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”  (Mark 3:25 NKJV)

President Abraham Lincoln quoted these words of Jesus as he argued for the preservation of the Union.  We know the message went unheeded and the result was the horrible Civil War, with countryman killing fellow countryman by the hundreds of thousands.

Satan’s strategy is to divide and conquer.  He is an expert in his craft.  Jesus said that, “The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, and destroy…”  (John 10:10a ISV).  Again and again in all walks of life we see him working out his sinister scheme.  He sows discord in the marriage with the home shattered and children as the broken pieces.  He sows discord in the marketplace and the work environment is poisoned.  He sows discord in the ministry and the church is diverted from its mission and sometimes even destroyed.

Frankly, I’m sick of it!  I know it must nauseate God!

At the root of this is sinful selfishness that insists on its own way.  “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way…”  (Isaiah 53:6 NIV)  Often there are three sides to a dispute—your way, my way and God’s way!  Only His works.

Two Christians walking in the will of God have no justifiable excuse for divorce.  While the church must love people who disobey God, extend forgiveness and help from the disaster they are making, we dare not condone it!  Our marriage vows matter—they matter to God!  They must matter to the church.  God wants to use some godly, mature couples to mentor young couples in marriage.  Would you be one?  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”  (Matthew 5:9 NKJV)

Christians must set the standard on the job.  Our work ethic is a powerful testimony of our love for Christ that can touch a pagan world.  A vital part of that is our love for other people.  God wants to raise up a generation of business leaders who invest in people more than profits.  He wants us to create a culture of compassion in what is often a cutthroat climate.  Will you be that kind of witness at work—whether an employer or employee? “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”  (Matthew 5:9 NKJV)

God has blessed you with a precious family of faith.  We must constantly work at preserving the unity of the church.  Satan is always looking for an accomplice to accomplish his assault.  It may be a word of gossip.  It could be a desire for recognition.  Often a little crack comes into the fellowship and before you know it there is a wide fissure forming.  Why would our community want to hear a message of love from us, if we can’t love each other?  Some people are exceedingly difficult to love, but we are commanded to do so any way.  Would you make a commitment to never do anything to create strife in the church?  I’m not talking about compromising doctrine or morals to maintain a façade of unity.  But most church fights begin with some selfish, small-minded petty disagreement.  From a little spark, a raging fire envelops the church and its charred remains show the tragic results.  Will you be zealous to guard the unity of the church? “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”  (Matthew 5:9 NKJV)

I want us as an association of churches to be united in our mission, cemented by our love for one another. Let us not be divided over periperhal issues as we are committed to the fundamentals of our faith.

In the Name of the One True God,

Dennis Thurman, Mission Strategist