A house divided cannot stand

A house divided cannot stand.

In 1858 Abraham Lincoln quoted Matthew where Jesus says, “and no city or house divided against itself will stand.” Jesus says this because the pharisees were saying Jesus cast out demons with the help of the devil.

In context this seems to be just for the enemy, correct? I dare say no. I believe that this is a warning for the church also, Jesus says every Kingdom divided and no city or house divided shall stand, are not our churches households in cities?

Psalm 133:1 says how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity. 1 Corinthians 1:10 tells us to have no divisions and to be united in the same mind and judgment. Also look at Romans 16:17, 1 Corinthians 3:3, and Jude 1:19.

With this it is safe to see God hates division, in fact he hates it so much that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believe in Him shall not parish but have everlasting life. This brings us back into unity with God the Father.

We, as the church, need to put aside our differences and find a place to stand together and God made it easy for us to do so. In 1 John 4:1-2 it says “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.”

We see this is where we can all come together and stand in unity, Jesus Christ; He is the only way. If we agree that Jesus came in the flesh, lived, died, and was raised again for our forgiveness then that’s all we need to start moving forward without division.

We must work together for His kingdom as Titus 3:8-10 says “that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him.”

If we come together in the name of Jesus who knows what could and will happen.

Pastor Scott Acklin ministers at New Fire Ministries.