Emo Tenorio Supporter Shomer

I humbly submit for your consideration a very simple answer; that on our little sphere nothing will cause a quicker divide than the "TRUTH" on any given matter. 
(Psalms 145:18; 1 Corinthians 7:23; Galatians 4:8; Galatians 5:7)

Some may even call [TRUTH] various fashionable idealogical names so as to confuse seeking to add credence or power for their weak position on the matter at hand. 
And still others demand protection via safe spaces to protect their fragile egg shell minds from the realities of any TRUTH; not of their own making. (2 Corinthians 11:15)

Today "TRUTH" is mislabeled and considered a microaggression or worse and must be controlled via the sentimental marxism of political correctness. (Galatians 4:16)

“He who marries the spirit of the age will soon be a widower.” Dean W. R. Inge

In the Lord's freedom.....warrior on

February 12 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Derrol PORTER Supporter Emancipated by the Liberating King

The Gospel means "Good News", so why does good news divide, people?

The verses you cited have been used by others to say Christianity isn't a religion of peace but Jesus is saying it brings conflict and division because of opposition and like all Scripture, it must be read in context.

When Jesus came as the Messiah chaos did break out. Why?:

[1] Satan's Reign as the Prince of the Air (Ephesians 2:1-2) in the world was immediately challenged and Satan tried to immediately destroy Jesus through his temptations in the wilderness, Matthew 4:1-11. War on!

[2] Systematic religion as the power of bondage in the world was immediately challenged by Jesus. In John 14:6 Jesus says He is the only way to the Father, and the religious leaders immediately tried to destroy Jesus through lies and even death, Matthew 12:14. War on!

[3] Social Rites as the pattern of structure in the world was immediately challenged by Jesus stating that clinging to your family and earthly passions had to be secondary in order to be His disciple, Matthew 16:24, Luke 9:24-25, and Luke 9:57-62. War on!

When Jesus came everything changed and continues today. Satan, false religion and humanistic ritual all still challenge True Christianity, but the True Gospel or Good News remains the only way to real peace. Peace with God and Peace of God.

The Word of God is a divider even of the soul and spirit, Hebrews 4:12. As a two-edged sword, so it divides self, society, and sacred ritual.

February 12 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that it stems from Jesus' rightful claim to be of first importance (even above the closest earthly ties of family, friendship, or social/political allegiance) in the lives of His followers, as He indicated in passages such as Matthew 10:37-38 (immediately following the verses cited in the question).

Conflict and division are sure to arise when people determine to follow Christ, and those who are close to them, or who believe that they have a greater right to the person's loyalties, cannot (because of their pride) understand or accept the change that this produces in the person's priorities.

That pride is also the fundamental reason why the separation occurs to begin with -- because, apart from conviction by the Holy Spirit, people do not want to believe or admit that they are utterly incapable of saving themselves, and thus require a Savior. What is truly "good news" to the redeemed thus becomes offensive to the unsaved, and is such a fundamental difference in perspective that it leads to separation and estrangement.

February 12 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

James Kraft Supporter 74 year old retired pipeline worker

The gospel of the bible separates true believers from unbelievers. First Corinthians 15:1-4 That Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, that He was buried and rose again on the third day, according to the scriptures. That is the only gospel and those that believe it are saved and have eternal life now. 

Within Christianity there are many unsaved people who do not believe that gospel or add something to it. First we have to believe we are all sinners. No one is exempt. We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. The good news of the gospel is that we are saved by grace without works. Jesus paid it all and we paid 0. Salvation is a free gift of God and any one can be saved by Just believing the gospel. Ephesians 1:13 and 4:30. John 5:24. Any one who has ever trusted Jesus as their savior is saved and has eternal life now based on what the bible says, not on what people say.

Salvation is a free gift. It has nothing to do with how we live or what we do. No one can save themselves. We need a savior. There is only one mediator between God and man, The Son of God Christ Jesus. 

All works based salvation is a lie. We have to do nothing to be saved. Romans 11:6 IT is all grace, not works. We can not save our selves by what we do or do not do. Matthew 7:21-23 should put fear in you if you should believe you can be saved by what you do. Jesus will tell you, depart from me I never knew you. Why? Because they trusted in their works as a way of salvation instead of on Jesus alone as the only way of salvation through grace. Not works. By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. The law can not save us. It only shows we are sinners and can only be saved by grace.

Many preach Ephesians 2:8-9, but then turn right around and add works to it later. We can only accept the free gift of salvation by grace. We can not add anything to what Jesus has already done. That is to give the glory to man for saving himself. 

Jesus tells us not to be deceived. He tells us how to tell false teachers. They are devoid of the truth of the gospel and are not saved. They believe they are saved base on their works, but we can only be saved by grace.

This is why most churches are divided. One has the true way of salvation by grace without works, and the other have a false gospel of works salvation: Religion.

February 23 2018 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report