“Togetherness?” – MARK 3:19b-25

It amazes me how there are some folks who seem to be coiled and ready to pounce at a moments notice. Instead of assessing things for what they are worth and adding the new information to an ever-expanding knowledge of God, they are reactionary. Some react to the spirit of the age and the latest innovations, while others react to things they simply don’t like. You see it in doctrinal issues as well as in mere opinions, and it seems as though such people are not happy unless there is a controversy swirling in their wake.

The Pharisees and scribes of Jesus’ day were cut out of this particular bolt of cloth. The Scriptures clearly foretold the wonders and miracles that God would work. As pious and devote students of the Word, they should have seen this coming. Any reasonable man could comprehend that a true miracle could not be from man and must be from God (John 3:2). Some, unfortunately, had set their minds to oppose anything Jesus said or did. Instead of assessing, they simply reacted. So now they were in the position of attributing the work of God to Satan. Jesus would deem this sin to be unforgiveable.

In dealing with the reactionaries, Jesus delivers to His disciples and enemies a principle of simple common sense that we should apply in the work of the church at all times.

“A house divided against itself cannot stand”.

This is one of those statements that is obviously true on its face, yet as is the case with inspired wisdom, it has a depth that astounds. How often is this put into practice in the religious world? A glance around the globe reveals a myriad of poly-theistic religions and cultures. Even the so-called “three great faiths” of Islam, Judaism and Christianity are so different that it is a logical and inherent impossibility that all three are true.

Is God divided against Himself? Jesus said He is the exclusive way to the Father. Within Christendom the most prominent feature of the universe of believers is the stark division among people. Why? Would Jesus, the Word of God, Great High Priest, King over His kingdom and Savior of mankind leave such confusion in His wake that would render division in His name an inevitable result?

If that were true then Jesus Himself stands in violation of His own teaching!

Since God is not a God of confusion, then there is an identifiable divine truth revealed in Scripture and a divine unity to be found in it. Ponder that for a moment. Is unity found in “agreeing to disagree”? Or is unity found in the divine truth revealed by the Word of God. Does confusion arise when honest people with good hearts assess the teaching of scripture, or when schemers react to it? Only when people resort to the reactionary approach of assessment by prejudices and preconceived notions that division infects the body of Christ.

Otherwise, the only conclusion would be that it is all Jesus’ fault … and that position is arrogant and dangerous. Obviously, the fault lies with people. Division in the body is the inevitable result of selfishness. Whatever the “issue”, the selfish reactionaries in the church assure “a house divided against itself”.

It is NEVER right. And, truth is NEVER wrong.

Can we drop the past and start fresh in the name of Christ and the spirit of peace? Certainly!

Is it possible for the church to carry out the Great Commission and the Greatest Commands without a party spirit and discord? Certainly!

Will we? Will YOU?