The Cost of Division

“Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. Matthew 12:25

This statement of Jesus is made after he is accused of casting out demons by the authority of Satan.  Jesus responds by showing the impossibility of such a claim.  Following this comparison, Jesus demonstrates the unity of the Triune God.  "If it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."  In Scripture, the Father was preparing the people for their Savior. In Jesus' ministry, he constantly points the people to the Father.  The Holy Spirit reminds us of the Father's and Jesus' teachings.  No one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

Unfortunately, accusations to the unity of God's work still occurs today.  It happens by well intended Christians. Like the Pharisees in Jesus' day, we do not always understand God's Word.  We do not always understand God's mission.  Sometimes we mistakenly put these two in opposition to one another.  Sometimes we forget to submit ourselves to one another and to the Word of God.  Sometimes the Church seems to be a kingdom divided against itself.

This Divine Unity is to be a mark of the church as well.  Praise God when this happens in the church.  Unfortunately, this is not a reality in many Christian churches.  God gives the Church what it needs: Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.  God gives the church these gifts to unite us in His grace, mercy, and mission.  God gives us these gifts to be a witness in the community.  God gives us these gifts so that the people in the church and around the church may know that the Kingdom of God has come to them.