Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: HARMONY (11/03/22)
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TITLE: Why Can't We All Just Get Along? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
11/08/22 -
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If you’re going to pick up the cross and follow Him, the short answer is found in Matt. 10: 34.
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword (Matt. 10:34 NASB).”
The longer answer takes into consideration the less honorable causes of divisions (1).
One can mix water and oil in a beaker and it will appear to have become a new product. But left alone, the oil and water will separate.
In the spiritual realm, truth and error, Man-made religion and accurate Bible Doctrine, the devil’s world and the Kingdom of God, can not coexist without compromise.
Water can become oily, and oil can become watered down.
Granted, Romans 12: 18 NASB teaches that, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”
The parable of tares found in Matt. 13: 24-30 teaches us to allow both good and evil to exist, but with the knowledge that at the appointed time God will separate the two; destroying one and preserving the other.
We can allow others the freedom to choose without participating in what we perceive to be their evil. In doing so, we may open 1Pet. 3: 15 doors of opportunity.
Perceiving when it is the time to “leave them alone (Matt. 15: 14 NASB)”, and when it is time to speak up (2), takes spiritual discernment.
In doing so, we are following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He did not force anyone to do anything, but made it clear what one should or should not do, and what the blessings or consequences one would receive as a result of the choices they made.
There were times when the truth He spoke was well-received, and there were times when the truth He spoke enraged His listeners.
Note the conditional “if possible” in Romans 12: 18. Peace is NOT always possible.
How a spiritual warrior can be a man of peace is made clear when one understands the type of peace announced at the First Advent.
The type of peace announced at the First Advent (3), and the blessed peacemakers spoken of in Matthew 5: 9 is not referring to interpersonal or international peace. The peace that these verses are referring to is peace between God and those who are born again.
Promoting this peace generates conflict!
In fact, friendship with worldly people can mean enmity with God (4).
Jesus made it clear that the sword (5) that He brought, and the sword that God the Holy Spirit would bring (6), would cause conflicts and divisions in the closest of interpersonal relationships (7), let alone the world at large.
A Christian soldier without this Eph. 6: 17 sword, and the willingness to make use of it (8), contributes nothing to the good fight of 2Tim. 4: 7.
Jesus taught that international wars would be an ongoing reality (9) until the Millennial Kingdom comes.
The peace on Earth that the angel announced at the First Advent is peace between God and those who become born-again.
Promoting this type of peace generates conflict (10), as the sword bearer advances into enemy-held territory.
Harmony can be a good thing when it does not call for compromise.
For example, different voices and instruments can blend together to produce beautiful music.In this scenario, there is no compromising. Each voice or instrument has it own range of notes to be sung or played.
. . .
When choosing between conflict or harmony, the words of Gamaliel, recorded in Acts 5: 38, 39 are worth considering.
“So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”
In our zealousness to identify and address apostate teachings and practices, take heed not to throw the babe out with the wash water.
There will be NO “denominations” in Heaven.
In God's timing, all truth will be confirmed, and all falsehood will be exposed (11).
Learning and promoting the uncompromised truth is what the spiritual life is all about.
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(1) James 3: 16 (2) Luke 9: 26 (3) Luke 2: 14 (4) James 4: 4 (5) Matt. 10: 34/Heb. 4: 12 (6) John 14: 26. (7) Luke 12:52/Luke 14: 26 (8) James 1: 22 (9) Matt. 24: 6 (10) Matt. 10: 34 (11) Prov. 30: 6
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