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Was God surprised by all of this? No, Jesus predicted this
would happen.
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Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which
the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church
of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after
my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will
arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert . . . And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance
among all those who are sanctified. (NASB) Acts 20:28-32 |
Notice we are warned that they will come up from within the church.
What is their goal? They attempt to create a following and teach
false doctrine.
In 2 Timothy, the Holy Spirit warns us that congregations
will welcome false doctrine - they want to hear something that
is entertaining.
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For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for
themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will
turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths.
(NASB) 2 Timothy 4:3-4 |
As a result some churches will split as some Christians seek purity
in truth, while other churches split because of anger, hatred,
pride and so forth.
Unity Within The Church. How do we balance this with God's command to live in unity with
each other?
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I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in
a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance
to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of
the Spirit in the bond of peace. (NASB) Ephesians 4:1-3 |
Colossians 3:14 also repeats this command. What the Holy Spirit
is saying is, "live in peace as much as possible with people in
our world."
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Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind,
but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right
in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on
you, be at peace with all men. (NASB) Romans 12:16-18 |
Reconciliation Between Brethren. Proverbs 21:2 tells it like it is.
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Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs
the hearts. (NASB) Proverbs 21:2 |
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