A Cause of Division
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”
Luke 12:51–53
While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law from God, the people turned to Aaron and insisted that he make an idol they could worship. He carved a golden calf, and they began to worship the false god in place of Jehovah, despite the fact that He had just delivered them from bondage and slavery in Egypt. When Moses returned to the camp, he was angry at the lack of faithfulness of the people, and called for help in making things right. “Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him” (Exodus 32:26).
The popular cultural ideal of Jesus as a weak, soft-spoken pacifist with only a message of love and harmony may appeal to the world, but it is far from the picture the Bible presents. The real Jesus Christ found in Scripture was as divisive as truth. He taught truth, stood for truth, and was the truth. Those who followed Him found that truth was not always popular with others.
Even for us today, if we are going to follow Christ in a sinful world, we should not expect popularity and praise. Increasingly, we are seeing those who hold to the Bible standards of right and wrong being labeled as bigoted and intolerant. The world never wants their evil deeds to be exposed, and they react negatively to anyone who points out the difference between right and wrong. But we must stand for what is right regardless of the consequences.
Luke 12:51–53
While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law from God, the people turned to Aaron and insisted that he make an idol they could worship. He carved a golden calf, and they began to worship the false god in place of Jehovah, despite the fact that He had just delivered them from bondage and slavery in Egypt. When Moses returned to the camp, he was angry at the lack of faithfulness of the people, and called for help in making things right. “Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him” (Exodus 32:26).
The popular cultural ideal of Jesus as a weak, soft-spoken pacifist with only a message of love and harmony may appeal to the world, but it is far from the picture the Bible presents. The real Jesus Christ found in Scripture was as divisive as truth. He taught truth, stood for truth, and was the truth. Those who followed Him found that truth was not always popular with others.
Even for us today, if we are going to follow Christ in a sinful world, we should not expect popularity and praise. Increasingly, we are seeing those who hold to the Bible standards of right and wrong being labeled as bigoted and intolerant. The world never wants their evil deeds to be exposed, and they react negatively to anyone who points out the difference between right and wrong. But we must stand for what is right regardless of the consequences.
Today’s Growth Principle:
Following Christ requires that we be willing to take a stand for the truth even if it divides us from others.
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