Division From Family and Sinful Believers

We have seen it so many times where people's important differences, ideals, morals and even solid Christian teachings are all set aside for the option of unity. In our own lives we have seen MUCH division between both family and those who call themselves believers. We will admit if we allowed our flesh to get in the way it can be sad but when that happens, we just go to God's Word and He gives us the peace and truth we must base our lives upon for lasting eternal truth. We are to be Christ centered and NOT human centered in our ways and thinking per God's Word.

We often hear denominational and evangelical people say that God is love and He just wants us all to be close, share memories and love. Is that really true? Did Jesus come to only bring peace? We have also heard people say; "can't we just all get along"? In both man made religious denominational circles and people's own theology; most all people opt for compromise and togetherness over the other route which is simply standing firm on biblical concepts that honor God's Word in all things. Many people are wrongly clinging to family relations and those in their religious body when these people are "most often" rebellious to God's ways. What does God's Holy word teach us about WHO is really our family if we are striving for Christ? While the concept of unity is not bad in itself; we must ask ourselves two important questions if we are  striving to be obedient, godly and biblical for God's glory.

1) Did Jesus teach unity at all costs?

2) Are you today (if you claim Him) being obedient to what He taught about division?

Let us be clear by saying we agree that God wants His "true people" to be united indeed. The catch words are His true people. 

The Apostles Paul said this is 1 Corinthians 1;10
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.  
 
This is very good indeed; unity and to be of one mind. The ONLY way this can happen and be God honoring is if it is among those who are born in Christ and are FULLY committed to living out and keeping His Word. You cannot have unity with those who have a mind to bend, cheat, twist or compromise on what God has said. 

Separation from sinful believers is all over God's Word and as a example; the Apostle Paul also said this in Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Paul is clear via God's Holy Spirit. If people leave God's ways / doctrines ( like evangelical/roman catholic) you are to avoid them NOT unite with them.

Having laid the foundation for what honors God (truth even with division) lets now answer the 2 questions we posed here.

1) Did Jesus teach unity at all costs?

We will just list some verses from Jesus in the book of Matthew and you can read them for yourself. They are clear and need no long explanation from the likes of us:

Matt 7:22
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

(Here Christ Himself tosses people aside who "so called claim Him" into hell for their lawless (sinful) ways)

Matthew 10-34-39
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Yes even families will be separated in the biblical situation of sin and false ways. Jesus came to bring a sword not peace as so many claim! And it should be noted that Hebrews 4:12 teaches the Word is a sword that cuts and divides.)

Matthew 12:48-50
While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Jesus thought his true family were those fully faithful to the Father so your true eternal family are those doing the Fathers will NOT those living in lukewarm sin.

Matthew 18:15-17
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Jesus taught to go to those believers in sin and if they won't repent; in the end treat them as a publican. How much stronger can you get than that and honestly, it does not mean you have a turkey dinner with them either for peace sake.

Matthew 19:29
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Here we even see a reward if family division has been your path for God's glory. While this is hard it is required to serve God in spirit and truth John 4:24 

Matthew 24:9-13
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved

Jesus teaches us that his people will be hated and love will grow cold in the last days via  false ways even among those who claim faith in Him. But if we endure; we will be saved.  

We could go on listing other verses but it is clear by His own Words that Christ brought division, wanted division and taught division for the Fathers glory. Just as He divided out Israel from those pagans around them; He divides His true people out from those who are false converts and rebellious to His Word in their ways. 
(it matters not if it is family or friends)

So the answer is indeed NO........ Jesus did not teach unity over truth and obedience at all!
*We love God first via obedience then we love others. See Matt 22

2) Are you today (if you claim Him) being obedient to what He taught about division?

Just as we had to test ourselves and those who were in our lives as we marched on for Christ; you too MUST examine your faith 
(2 Corinthians 13:5) to see where you stand. We had to leave behind or watch many people willingly walk away from us over the years due to doctrine an faith issues. The reason this happened was not that we do not want unity, no not at all. It was because they desired error and compromise over obedience to God's Holy Word and we had to reject that mindset. It was both God honoring and good for our spiritual lives to let them go as they choose NOT to serve God fully. If and when they repent and desire His fullness; they know we are there for them indeed! 
Here are some questions only you can answer on biblical division in your own life:

 *Is it your desire to fully honor God (not men and even lose relationships) for His glory? 

*Do you walk in all of His ways today or have you compromised those ways to make it easier to have people in your life (family or religious others) for unity sake?  (that is sinful folks!)

*Who is your real family that Jesus taught us about and are you focused on them or others? 

*Have you allowed sons, daughters and denominational people/vain traditions (who are in fact disobedient to God in so many ways) as the true godly people are left outside your life? 

*Are you biblically focused on and loving those who are striving for the will of the Father in ALL things making them your true godly family from above?

*Will the people you have compromised/surrounded yourself with hold you to a higher godly standard or just drag you deeper into spiritual lies and error that defames God's Word and Jesus blood?

*Have you allowed the world's cry for unity to compromise as a daily practice?

*Are your own ways for the favor and company of family or others being done against the teachings of Jesus Christ who died to redeem and call out His true people?  

*Ask yourself- are you even walking in and fully following His ways yourself? (our website helps you there)

*Are you a lukewarm compromised person only CLAIMING a faith but the fruit of your walk is practicing error, man made lies, unity with sinners/not saints in this false spirit of the season?

We have heard all the silly and sad human excuses as we used to use them ourselves in the past. 
Things like: 
*"If we leave people how can we affect their lives?"
* "We just want to get to know them better" 
or 
*"if we can just be friends with them over time we can give them seeds of truth". 


In love we will tell you this... God told Noah to build an ark of Gopher wood.  It is counted to Noah for being faithful and so he did not use pine or basswood did he? He used gopher wood! God tells you to separate from those who are in sin or who are rebellious and reject His ways fully. You have NO biblical standing to adopt your own human ways over the God of the Universe Ways do you?

God's true HOLY (set apart) people come out of error and darkness they do not stay in it even for unity sake. (See 2 Corinthains 6) It is a powerful thing when people see you willing to separate over what God's Word says vs sitting next to them as you sin and compromise the Lords truth.

The Apostle Paul told us about the last days of man in 2 Timothy 3:1-7
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 

(turning away does not mean hanging out with them) 

For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 


In love; we must tell you that these are the kinds of people you will be uniting with if you choose to compromise on biblical division for your life. Paul also warned us about the persecution that will come when you step out in a bible life and practice God's Word fully:
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them . 2 Timothy 3:13-14

We can tell you that in all the years we lived in unregenerated/false religion with unity and compromise as our main marching orders; we were NEVER persecuted for Christs sake. We were NOT living godly or born again. But the instant we did act out faithful to His Word we saw the fruit of those who we once claimed as our own. Their fruit was ungodly and sinful in the end as they persecuted us (mocked God's truth) for our standing on His Word. Of course separation was the next step unless they repented.

As they say birds of a feather flock together.
Where are you standing today and with whom do you flock or stand?
If you do not practice biblical division then you are allowing much sin into your life (Galatians 5:9) when God has commanded otherwise for His true holy people.

We will gladly stand totally alone with God than to have hundreds around us in sin, compromise and great spiritual error.  

Jesus said if you love Him keep His commands (John 14:15)
(Keeping all of God's Word is His people's command amen?)