No Room For Division

Verse of the day: Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

The wicked man; God has much to say about him. As we study these verses, let us pray that none of us fall into this category as one of God's children. What the Lord describes for us here is what many of us used to be, but should no longer be as a follower of Jesus Christ (Eph 4:17-5:21). As New Testament believers, we are continually instructed to be a people of unity (1 Cor 12; Eph 4; Phil 2). Why? Because in Christ there is no division. In the body of Christ, even though we may have differing gift, talents, opinions, and personalities, we are called to serve together, in Christ, for the glory of God. Jesus told us that by our love for one another the world will know we belong to Him (Jn 13:35). Are there times when we can agree to disagree? Yes. Unless God says it is so or it is not so, we have room to agree or disagree. Our convictions are not Scripture or doctrine, but our convictions should come because of Scripture. With that said, our convictions may differ, and in that case we can agree to disagree, as long as we are not using our conviction(s) or liberties to justify sinful behavior. The bottom line is that the God of the Old Testament is still our God of the New Testament; therefore, when God says He hates something, and considers something an abomination, in the Old Testament, it still stands today. The list of things that God hates in these verses are very clear, and the one thing He despises above all is clear as well. Lying in general, pride, murder, a wicked heart, mischief, a person who tells lies about another. All these things God hates; but above all God despises, and loathes, when discord is sown among brethren. Why? Because in Christ there is unity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are One. In Christ we are called to be One with Him, and with one another. We are called to love one another, and forgive one another, even as God has, for Christ's sake (Eph 4:32). A brother or sister in Christ who displays the characteristics found here in Proverbs is one that needs to go before God confessing and repenting of such actions. As God's children we are new creatures (2 Cor 5:17), and therefore we must represent Jesus as such. One of the greatest forms of hypocrisy, and shame, that we, as Christians, can show the world is our inability to get along and be united in Christ. How are we to preach the Gospel of unity to a divisive, and devilish, world, when we refuse to get along as brothers and sister in Christ? Phil 2:3 tells us, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself."