The Call To Overcome: Church Battles
If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness.
1 John 2:9 (NLT)
In 70 A.D., 37 years after our Savior’s crucifixion, as Jesus said, Jerusalem fell. The city was crushed. Its temple was razed. In the wrath of Rome. approximately one million Jews died.**
Rome began its terror in Galilee. 'An estimated 100,000 Jews were killed or sold into slavery. Throughout the Roman conquest of this territory, the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem did almost nothing to help their beleaguered brothers' (Jewish Virtual Library).**
All things Jesus said would happen… happened. Another grim prediction that came true? Brothers delivered up brothers… to death!
In this invasion, Jews fought EACH OTHER. 'Leaders who headed the Jewish government at the revolt's beginning in 66 A.D. were dead by 68– and NOT ONE died at the hands of a Roman. All were killed by fellow Jews' (Jewish Virtual Library).**
With ‘Holier than thou’ (Isaiah 65:5) words and actions, is a “killing spree” happening TODAY? Through John, Jesus said, 'Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer' (1 John 3:15). That’s more than an ouch! It’s an indictment and foretelling of Christian divisions.
If the Word of God orders our conduct, how do opposing factions of Christians defend denominational disdain?
The foul stench of congregational pride has ZERO biblical justification.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
You’re calling is a two-fold commission:
By following your Captain’s Example, you storm the gates of hell to help others. God’s overwhelming grace gives you the strength to overcome ALL enemy devices.
By ignoring rulish church divisions, you break down the barriers of hatred. God’s overwhelming love gives you the light to overcome the darkest church battles.
Because... 'By this, all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another' (John 13:35).
The Call To Overcome: Church Battles (Part 12)
* 'Persecutors are worse than beasts, in that they prey upon those of their own kind. The strongest bonds of love and duty, have often been broken through from enmity against Christ. Sufferings from friends and relations are very grievous; nothing cuts more' (Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 10:16-42). See http://biblehub.com/commentaries/matthew/10-21.htm
** 'Ancient Jewish History: The Great Revolt:' http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/revolt.html
' 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great Commandment. And the Second is like It: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets' ' (Matthew 22:37-40).
On the urgent importance of every Word Jesus spoke, Christians can and must unite.