DATE POSTED: Sunday, 2023-04-02
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 12:51-52
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible (AMP)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁵¹ Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division [between believers and unbelievers]; ⁵² for from now on five in one household will be divided [over Me], three against two and two against three. 

OBSERVATION: Some social clubs have basic rules that they will not permit politics or religion to be discussed at meetings – because these are two things that tend to divide a group more than anything else. But what about in our homes, or in our churches or in our workplaces, is this not also true in these places? Nothing comes as a surprise to God, for He knows what was, what is, and what is yet to come. So, of course, God knows that with our independent thinking, some families will tend to argue over what they each believe, or not believe about Him. Perhaps today, God will show us how to best deal with this strange occurrence that tends to divide us.

APPLICATION: One of the best ways to create unity among groups of people is to agree wholeheartedly with each other on every fact of life. But is that truly possible, considering that God blessed us with independent minds to analyze a situation and believe, or disbelieve, on a subject, and also in the reasons for our differences? We don’t like division in our groups; therefore, some have chosen to demand that certain subjects not be discussed in their group times. But what happens when Christian groups feel so strongly about certain facts? You may not like this response, or fact, but Jesus was 100% correct in telling us that disagreement in groups will lead to division. Try researching why there are so many denominations today! Try asking around why there are so many churches even in a small town! I believe you will find that in an effort to resolve differences of opinion, groups decided that it was best if they divided and go their own way. But how is this handled in families? Over the years, I have heard of one spouse attending one church, and the other attending their church of choice, or not attending at all. In the case of the former, fortunately marriages stay intact, and they just agree to disagree, which results in two different directions on a church day. Unfortunately, this type of division often leads to innuendos thrown at each other when certain subjects come up. Meaning that ‘my words may say that I’m ok with you attending the church of your choice just down the road, but in my gut, I just wish you would follow me to my church’! Not really a sense of peace, total agreement and togetherness, right? But even more challenging is the house divided, where one spouse is devoted to God and intent on attending church every week, but the other spouse is unattached to God and has chosen to stay at home while the one spouse attends church. This scenario is all too familiar, as I was part of a church where a wife was caught in this situation. Friends, because we are capable of independent thinking, we tend to make our own decisions on whether we marry, who we marry, what we will demand of our children and what we will permit them to decide for themselves. But let us remember as we meditate on the Word of God, that although God has given us a mind to think independently, His Word is our Guide – in good and bad times, and also in our decision making that would ensure we follow the path He has set out for us. When we neglect God’s Word, our minds become tainted with the world around us and we start making decisions like they do. If, in the above Scripture, Jesus was speaking to saints who have already transitioned to heaven, don’t you know that He would have a totally different message for them? There won’t be any division in heaven, for God has prepared a place for His church, saved believers, where there will be no division, no need for denominationalism, but simply everyone glorifying the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as one body! Oh, what a day that will be! So I believe the bottom line in what we can take away in today’s lesson, is that if we follow Christ in making our decisions – under His direct guidance, without any worldly thing diluting His Word, then there will be no division. Seek the Lord, my friend, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Satan is out to kill, steal and destroy anything that God has created, manages, unites or decides to worship our Lord and Savior. In Christ, there is unity and a plan for eternity with the Master in the glories of heaven. Decide today which road you will follow, my friends.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord Jesus for providing one central theme for us to believe in and follow while here on earth. Your reminder of how folk will be divided, if they allow the world to interfere, is well taken and opens our eyes to the reason for division in our families, homes, churches and everywhere we go. Please Lord, direct us back to the truth of Your Word and help us to stay strong in the faith. Unbelievers will know our stance in this world by how united we can remain, even among differences of opinion. We all love You, precious Lord, now help us to show that through the way that we live and the decisions we make. May this it be obvious to the world that we are saints who live in harmony and love towards our Master and Lord. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!