Today’s reading is Mark 3:1-4:40.

This last week goes to show that even the guy running the blog can struggle with a daily habit now and then. Hopefully I can lead by example on this. As I’ve said, if you get behind, don’t worry. Just pick back up and move forward. That’s what we’ll do here. 

I’ve read the story of Jesus accused of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul numerous times. But it hit me just a tad different today (I’m sure you get tired of me saying that, however, that is why we keep reading the Bible, because it will hit us differently as we keep reading). When Jesus was accused, He responded, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if  house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.”

How often have I talked about this verse and how destructive to Satan’s cause it would be if his kingdom were divided against itself. But what about God’s kingdom? What about us? What happens when we are divided against ourselves?

First, I understand divisions will come. I Corinthians 11:18 demonstrates even Paul knew that would happen. Additionally, I understand there is a time when discipline should take place, thus dividing someone from the body (I Corinthians 5:1-13). Further, I understand there is a time to so stand for the truth that those who do not want to accept the truth leave. I John 2:19 shows that very thing happening.

However, even recognizing all that, I can’t help but worry about what Jesus’ statement about Satan and his kingdom means for us Christians today. If we are constantly dividing, God’s kingdom won’t stand. Certainly, I understand in the sense that God’s power upholds His kingdom it will stand. I’m referring to the very practical working of His church on earth. If we are constantly breaking up and dividing we are going to shoot ourselves in the foot. As Galatians 5:15 says, “If you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”

The point I’m driving out is the almost morbid sense of division I see among too many Christians. I know we need to be on our guard (cf. Acts 20:29-30), but it almost seems that some have taken this to be the supreme command of all Scripture. It is as if their number one concern over all things is to root out all error that anyone might hold, to latch on to any tiny little mistake an eldership might make, to fear monger about every potential problem that arises, and then to clamor for more division. The problem is who will be left when this is our approach. Since we even know our own sins, we’d have to divide off from ourselves. 

This reminds me of Romans 14:19, which we highlighted a few weeks ago while reading Romans. “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”

Is there a place for division? Of course there is. But let’s not act like it is the first option the moment we see a problem. Let’s get rid of this idea that the moment something goes wrong we question, “How long do I stay?” Let’s pursue what makes for peace and upbuilding and not what will simply divide the kingdom making it lose its effectiveness in the world.

***Question: How do you pursue peace and upbuilding even when it is tough?

Keep the faith and keep reading.

ELC

Today’s reading is John 17:1-18:40.

I am always amazed that so many who claim to be Christians and let the Bible govern their beliefs have completely missed John 18:36. 

They have delved into Revelation; they have turned over every letter of Old Testament Apocalyptic prophecy; they have extrapolated Matthew 24. They have come up with all kinds of confusing arguments in order to claim Jesus came to establish an earthly kingdom but was foiled so we are waiting for it to come in a coming age. 

Books have been written. Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins have become rich off of it. Jack van Impe continues his news broadcasts about it. Hal Lindsey still sells old books on it. And people spend money buying it up left and right. It has surpassed the discussion of scriptural topics and become a money making industry all on its own.

This is sad, because for all the complicated arguments from the numerous difficult, figurative, and complex passages, they overlook a very simple passage like John 18:36.

My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.

There it is. A very clear, very pointed statement. Jesus never intended to establish a kingdom of this world. He did not intend to bring Rome into military subjection to His new nation. Had that been the case, then the rejection of the Jews wouldn’t have mattered. Those who followed Him would have fought and kept Jesus from being delivered. 

That being the case, His death was not a rejection of the earthly kingdom. Therefore, we are not in some surprising gap while God gets plan B in order. We are not waiting for a Tribulation, a Rapture, or a new Kingdom. Jesus told His disciples that the kingdom would be established while some of them were still alive (Mark 9:1). Jesus did not fail. His heavenly kingdom was established and even as the New Testament was being written people were being added to it (Colossians 1:13). And as John began his writing of Revelation he admitted to already partaking in it along with his audience (Revelation 1:9).

Let’s quit making money off a very popular but very wrong idea. Instead, let’s just stick with the Bible message.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?