Sin+Gospel=Peace/Division
Gideon posted an article “Religions of Peace” excerpts from this thread can be read Link
My take on the article was that religions, whether they be Catholic, Islam, the LDS or Protestant could do many good works if they applied their abundant resources to feed the hungry and clothe the poor, and minister to their basic health care needs. The point of the article is that such an act of kindness and compassion could quite possibly result in a world that would truly know peace.
This act of benevolence will no doubt meet a very important social need in ones society. Without question it does the heart good to know that we have helped someone in need. But when Christ traversed this earthly sod, He spoke of a greater need. This need focused attention on a spiritual condition that had noting to do with material things; “what profit a man if he gain the whole world but loose his soul?”
The message that Christ propagated was a message of peace, but at the same time a message of division and schism. It has been my experience that people, it doesn’t really matter whether they are church goers or not, doctrinally accept the message of love and peace, it satisfies the palatable side of religion, yet the message of division is oft times construed as not being biblical at all and moreover being down right, anti-Christian. With regard to this message Christ, by His own admission said He would not bring peace but division; “I did not come to send peace, but a sword; to set at variance a man with his family. In fact a man’s foes shall be those of his own household.”
This message is an oxymoron of sort; it is a message that brought both peace and at the same time caused division.
Message of Peace
Humanity by nature (SIN) is separated from God. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God". We are by definition, enemies of God. The shed blood of Christ is what brings us into a right relationship with God; we who were once enemies are now brought nigh by the blood of Christ and reconciled. He is our PEACE
Message of Division
Christ said that when a man or a woman is immersed in this peace and confesses Him before men that this testimony will be met with opposition, in fact even those of his own household. It becomes a message of DIVISION and is not well received.
So what was the source of division?
preacherman
