Daily Bread – September 17, 2022 (The Seventh Day – Genesis 2:1-3) Jude 17-19 – But you, beloved, remember the words spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. For they said to you in the last time there will be scoffers indulging their own ungodly desires. These are those who cause divisions, worldly ones who do not have the Spirit. Divisions vs Laying Down Our Lives There is nothing that can bring more of a reproach to the Name of the Lord Jesus and His Church any more than a divisive spirit. When people are around the children of God, they should experience the love of God in our manner and behavior. God said there were six things He hated, and a seventh was an abomination to Him. The seventh thing He spoke of was the person who sowed discord among the brethren (Proverbs 6:16-19). Discord can come in the form of simply saying, “I disagree,” or pointing out something you personally have a problem with. The only exception would be if one speaks only and directly to the person with whom such a problem or issue exists, and it proceeds no further. We are commanded by Paul to mark those who cause divisions and to avoid them (Romans 16:17). Anyone who operates with a divisive spirit is not functioning in the Spirit of God. You will never find the Holy Spirit accusing or defaming anyone; rather, He is always interceding and supporting. The way of the Lord is that we lay down our lives for the brethren, and take up their defense. We are those who keep the unity of the brethren and pursue peace with all (Ephesians 4:3; Matthew 5:9). We keep our tongues from evil, and our lips, that they speak no guile (1 Peter 3:10; Psalm 34:12-13). There are many people who have deceived themselves to think that just because they quote Scriptures and go to Church, that they are of the family of God. However, this is far from the truth. There are many who with their mouths profess to know Jesus, but with their deeds they deny Him (Titus 1:16; 1 John 3:7,14, 2:29; Ephesians 5:6; and Galatians 6:8; James 1:22; Matthew 7:21-27) The very idea a child of God, who is filled with the Spirit and nature of God, would continue to function in the realm of the demonic (in enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions and factions), is a testimony against them – not for them (Galatians 5:19-21). Every evil work emerges from this evil realm of strife and envy (James 3:16). The witness of the Spirit in our lives is a love that does nothing in strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind, esteems others better than oneself (Philippians 2:3). We are those who recognize how we are called to lay down our lives for the brethren – even as Jesus showed us (1 John 3:16). Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 9/17/2022
