Divided
But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. Luke 11:17
In today’s reading, Jesus was being accused of working for the devil. He told the people there with Him that day about binding the strong man before you plunder his house, but He start by saying a kingdom that is divided against itself cannot stand.
This statement is true on every level. Whether it is Satan’s domain or an earthly kingdom. Unless a country is united and in agreement in laws and spirit, it will not last through the divisions.
It is the same in God’s Kingdom and although we know in heaven, there is complete agreement and His Kingdom rules overall. However, His kingdom in this world is a little shaky. Yes, the church body widely sends missionaries around the world to get the message of salvation to all, and we all worship the one true God in heaven. It gets a little unstable when we argue over doctrines and procedures. Many denominations raise these issues above the more important issue of God’s love and His provision through Jesus for our salvation.
Jesus said on many occasions that He desired mercy/compassion over rules. His focus was always hurting people and He always started with love for others wherever He was. This is where our focus as a body of believers needs to be. We do not need to watch and criticize how others love and worship God and we do not need to govern the actions of other denominations to gage their spirituality. Yes, our actions are important, but what is the most essential point is that we are walking in the action of love toward all people.
Today I want to encourage you to walk in agreement. Live your life in agreement with God’s Word and walk out your days in agreement with His love. When all believers of Salvation in Christ Jesus come together, the enemy will not be able to bind the strong church and the gates of hell will not prevail with divisions of denominations.
Today’s scripture reading: Luke 11:14-23
14 And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled.
15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”
16 Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven.
17 But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls.
18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub.
19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
20 But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.
21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace.
22 But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils.
23 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
The Daily Dose 