Winners & Loosers

Matthew 12:25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.

Division everywhere; race, politics, religion, sports, sides of any stance at an all time high at causing strain at a level my generation has really not seen. Seemingly even catastrophes that bring unity in times of crisis, are only days later forgotten in the interest of self-will. I have been intrigued by a Vietnam war documentary playing now; a depth of that story I did not know, and the division of our country on many lines I did not realize around the time of my birth. I see the evidences of the uprisings, over war, and race, and equality; I saw the incredibly poor leadership, and ponder how the history books will write of these days in which we live now. I wonder if we are in that cycle of history repeating itself, sadly, maybe even on a larger scale, but rejoicingly meaning we are closer to Jesus’ return. Is it possible that my generation is witnessing this division as the preamble of his return? Is it possible that my country, yes, one founded on Christian principles and lived much of it’s life as so, is the great falling away that Paul wrote about? 1 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Our nation finds itself greatly divided, and Christians find themselves picking sides, while not focusing on the eternal and remaining neutral to seek unity and peace. We go against the Bible and ridicule our nations leaders, leaders that God set in place to rule us. We find ourselves divided over race, a scary situation replaying from 50 years ago, or even worse the Civil War, regardless we find ourselves divided against ourselves, and we will ultimately fall.

Do you see the simplicity of Jesus’ statement above? The crowds trying to create division, were accusing Jesus of working for Satan, they were accusing Him of being evil, and casting out evil. That idea alone, in it’s simplest form, made no sense. Why if Jesus was evil, would he cast out evil? 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. The blindness of that argument is as almost seemingly ridiculous as many “stances” that are being taken today. The blind are leading the blind down the roads of condemnation, and our country is loosing sight of what and Who we were founded on. The call for the Christian is not to pick a side in these debates, but to promote peace and unity. Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. The are questions that divert the division, ones such as simple as, “Does it affect eternity? Does it unity the body of Christ or promote the division of it?” We should seek to focus on eternity, focus on being united in Christ, and the eternal victory that comes with it. Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.