Luke 11:17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.
Jesus presented an axiom of truth when He spoke of a divided house. By deductive reasoning we can assume that a united house will not fall. In reference to the church, a caring body of believers has a measurable strength. However, if the church body works against itself, the strength or durability falters. It may seem elementary on the surface, but the depth of such truths are regularly seen by growing or failing congregations. These principles are often put to the test with predictable outcomes.
In the Old Testament, God said, “If you do right, you will be accepted. If you do wrong, sin lieth at your door.” There was no gray area in His Word. Jesus’ example of a divided house can be applied to marriages, family businesses, churches, and nations. While some denounce His Word through intellectualism, the matter has been settled long ago. Our internal and numerical growth is directly related to the unity of our members. A healthy church is a congregation that loves each other.
Paul wrote, Gal 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. The issue is not the devil or some outside entity. Our battle is not against governments or the ever shifting dynamics of secularism. Our pursuit is the continual fruit of the Spirit exercised within the church. If we fail to employ Galatians 5:22-23, our Kingdom efforts will be in vain. Skill, talent, and organizational prowess are not the means by which we grow. It is the cohesion of the believers as they activate the fruit of the Spirit which is “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Gal 5:22-23).
United we stand. Divided we fall. This is a simple law which cannot be undone. Love is the bond between us and the Blood of Jesus is what makes us family. Therefore, I am after a healthy church which is united in mission, purpose, and doctrine.
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole