TOGETHER WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL

I think the Holy Spirit gives everyone at least two messages to speak about with others and one of those messages will be the same and the other not. The one message we should all be speaking is that through faith in Christ's crucifixion and resurrection we will have a better life with Him instead of torment in hell. My “other” message that I have been given is; we need to be in harmony within the Christian community so we can attract people into a glorious life with Christ. That is why my post seemed to have the same theme. As stated in my first post we need to be loving as Christ is, and not condemning.

Titus 3:9-11 reads (NIV) “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”

I agree with “Matthew Henry, Ashbury and IVP” commentaries that this passage that Paul wrote was about dealing with false doctrine but I also think it is simply about controversies, genealogies, arguments and quarrels. To start we need to go back a little bit to the beginning of Titus Chapter 3. Paul tells us to be peaceable, non-slandering and humble because we too were once lost. “he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5. Paul says we are to stress this point of salvation from mercy not works and to do what is good. v.8.

The devil uses tools like controversies, genealogies, arguments and quarrels. He wants God's people to be divided. The old saying “together we stand divided we fall” comes to mind. First we need to go to the throne of grace and be thankful for His mercy and to be reminded it is by grace not works we are saved. In Titus 3 Paul reminds us that we were once foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passion and pleasures. Continuing, we need to learn who our Lord is. The only way to do this is to read His word. We learn God is loving, caring and merciful. He does not create confusion (1 Cor 14:33 KJV), arguments and quarrels for He is the Prince of Peace. If we find ourselves arguing with someone we must examine our own motives. Are we forgetting that we were once needed of grace? If you find yourself divided with someone, Paul says to give the person two chances then walk away from the situation. He says to do nothing with this person. v.10. Remember God is not one to create confusion and strife. It's not our place to convince someone. It's our job to speak twice about His Love and then let the Holy Spirit do it's work just as the Holy Spirit did His work in us. What does this have to do with attracting people to Christ? “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Mark 3:25. So correct twice and walk away for if we are seen divided the devil has won.