Are some divisions necessary for God’s people? - Divisions - TouchPoints

Luke 12:51-53“Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against. “Father will be divided against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

John 6:66-67At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

John 9:16Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.” Others said, “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?” So there was a deep division of opinion among them.

John 10:19-21When he [Jesus] said these things, the people were again divided in their opinions about him. Some said, “He’s demon possessed and out of his mind. Why listen to a man like that?” Others said, “This doesn’t sound like a man possessed by a demon! Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

We must make a choice about Jesus. What we decide will lead to division, even among families, separating those who believe Jesus is the son of God from those who do not believe.

2 Corinthians 6:14, 17Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? . . . “Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.”

There must be clear distinctions between a Christian’s lifestyle and an unbeliever’s lifestyle. We must choose one path or the other; there is little common ground. This does not mean that Christians should not associate with unbelievers; it only means that our lives should look different. We are warned against alliances with unbelievers in marriage or business, since they may cause us to compromise our faith in ways we never thought possible.

1 Corinthians 5:9-10When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that.

2 Thessalonians 3:6Now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us.

1 Timothy 6:3-5Some people may contradict our teaching, . . . Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.

2 Timothy 3:2-9They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires.

There is to be a division between those truly committed to Jesus Christ and those who are part of the church but live sinful lives. Those who deliberately choose a sinful lifestyle cannot be allowed to live in the church alongside those who are striving to be holy. This will cause deep division and strife within the church. The church must stand for truth. While all people are sinners, the church can only function well when everyone is united in trying to live more committed lives for God.