This week’s big news has been about Elon Musk and the further division within the GOP. Elon has not only announced a new political party if President Trump’s OBBB reconciliation bill passes, the billionaire has also promised to use his influence to help primary out lawmakers who support President Trump’s legislation and agenda.
As I write this, the GOP lead House is pulling an all-nighter to help push the OBBB across the finish line before President Trump’s July 4th deadline. The MAGA has widened the division between itself and the traditional conservative agenda:
- Earthly power/heavenly purpose
- Wealth/ meekness
- Force/peace
- Prideful/humble
- Greatness/servanthood
It has become painfully obvious to the world that America has become more divided than ever as we prepare to celebrate our 249th anniversary of our independence from Britain and a power-hungry earthly king.
Each time we divide or break into smaller factions, we become less powerful. That is why we must humble ourselves and put others first (Micah 6:8, Philippians 2:3). We cannot continue to let Satan divide us as God’s people by following our hearts (Genesis 3:1-24, Matthew 4:1).
What Is Division
Division is more than just a simple mathematical process; it applies in all areas of life, even spiritually. It is defined as “The act or process of being divided, the condition or instance of being divided, and an area or opinion; a physical separation into lobbies or members of a parliamentary body voting for and against a question.”
Division is a reduction process with a purpose. Anytime we divide, we take away from the whole and the bigger group. This breakdown isn’t always beneficial. It often leads to chaos and weakness. That is why the Bible has a lot to say about division, what it is, and where it comes from (Psalm 133:1, John 10:10, Jude 1:16-19).
We serve a God of creation and life (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:16). God creates and Satan destroys by division (Revelation 12:3-4). God’s people are called to be salt and light to help preserve life like our Heavenly Father (Matthew 5:13-16).
That is why God’s people are called to be united and to avoid divisions and those who try to divide us (Romans 16:17, 1 Corinthians 1:10-11, Ephesians 4:3-6, Colossians 3:12-15, Titus 3:-11, 1 Peter 1:12-27). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about division, where it comes from, and when it is good.
Peleḡ
The Torah tells us that mankind’s sin separated us from God after the fall in the garden (Genesis 3:1-27). Satan used the same tactic in the garden to cause division as he did in heaven when he aspired to be great like God (Isaiah 14:12-15, Luke 10:18).
The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for division is peleḡ, and it can also mean “Streams or a channel of water. ”Division separates us from God and His purpose or people. It is creation’s pride that demands its own way and that leads to division (Proverbs 11:2; 16:18).
Division is only good when it comes from God because He uses it for the purpose of creating. That is why God separated His people from this corrupt, fallen world to help restore the relationship between the Creator and the creation (Exodus 19:5-6, Deuteronomy 14:2).
Judaism teaches that what God brings together no one should separate, and God separates to create (Genesis 2:24). Scripture shows us how God uses division to create:
- Heaven and earth
- Day and night
- Holy and mundane
- Man and woman
- The Sabbath and the rest of the week
- Jews and Gentiles
- Cohen and Levi
- The tribes of Israel
The New Testament starts with the genealogy of Jesus, traced back to Israel’s roots and the tribes (Matthew 1:1). Jesus goes on to tell us that, like God, He too will divide the good from the bad (Matthew 10:34).
When the religious leaders pressed Jesus on divorce, Jesus told them that it wasn’t God’s plan, but what they wanted (Matthew 19:1-9). God brings together, Satan and man divide and destroy (John 10:1-42).
Jimmy Swaggart
In other big news this week, former television evangelist Jimmy Swaggart died at the age of 90. I am old enough to remember how he divided and criticized many churches against each other in the 80s.
I also remember how God humbled Swaggart by exposing his sins and obsession with prostitutes in the 80s. Swaggart never divorced, even after the Assemblies of God church defrocked him. Still, the evangelist preached using his own faults and failures:
- Forgiveness
- Temptation
- Mercy
These messages can either unite or divide God’s people today. As I write this, conservatives and Christians in America have never been more divided amongst both family and friends. Not just denominationally, but over church doctrine and the basic teachings of the faith: putting others first, caring for the least of these, caring for the foreigners living among us, and not seeking revenge.
Many are focused on earthly kingdom and greatness instead of the Heavenly Kingdom and God’s glory through restoration. The devil is alive and well in America as he continues to sow peleḡ (Genesis 3:1-24)!
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