We’re fighting because Christ has divided those He must bring to the Father into two groups (Israel and “another fold”, meaning the gentiles), but preached the good news of the kingdom of God in one gospel narrative that according to the apostle Paul, must be “rightly divided”…and many apparently did not hear them.
It is not as if Jesus did not mention it, or that Paul took it upon himself to veer off the path of the gospel against Jesus. Not at all. Jesus not only mentioned it, he warned of the consequences of not doing what Paul later expounded upon. We need to remember that Jesus did say “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” Which makes Paul’s expounding upon this completely in accord with Jesus’ promise to send another Helper to lead Paul and us “into all truth.” Which again means many here, and indeed, many in all of Christendom have either been blind to it, or have totally and intentionally disregarded it.
Now there is some disagreement of what the translation and meaning of “rightly dividing” the word of truth (the gospel) should be. Some refer to the original language and translate it as “cut straightly”, or “rightly handle”…which of course might give one a different perspective on just what we were directed to do during these times of the gentile [nations], the church age. Certainly, one would want to “rightly handle” the gospel—but Jesus really left no room to change these passages to mean something gentle. See for yourself. Here is what Jesus said:
The passage above is addressing those servants that are either “rightly handling” the gospel, or not. But the word Jesus uses is not “handle” it’s “cut.” So, if you want to soften the language and remove the harshness that Jesus has clearly stated—you may be one of those who have been blind to the whole directive, and doing a disservice (no, that’s too nice), you are likely in the “evil servant” crowd. In other words, you should go back and read it all again and be on your face before God.
But these things are all now under the care and management of the Holy Spirit, that other Helper sent by Jesus. It is in that Spirit that I will now say that this blindness was foretold, and was the purpose of “tongues.” Which was an object lesson that explains that without interpretation, the words authored by the Holy Spirit, sound crazy. By which teaching, we should now be well prepared and even expect exactly what we have now seen come to fruition—those speaking the truth by the Holy Spirit, and those who think it’s crazy, and even against God.
And here we are. Fighting.
Of course, some will say that this very prescription arranged by Jesus and managed by the Holy Spirit, will open up the possibility of complete chaos. But such a lack of trust in God’s ability to manage His own affairs, is merely the fruit of unbelief by those of little faith. And of course, God is not shortsighted and left us without a means of determining what is true and what is false. Not at all. He has told us to test every spirit, and that all things need to agree with the scriptures-- which does not mean everything needs to agree with ones own understanding, but rather, that the truth can be confirmed by the truth. God is Truth.
It is also important to remember that Jesus Himself did this very thing-- "rightly dividing the word of truth." For which He explained, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 15:24 Thus, we of the church age are rather under the care of "another Helper." In His words: "another fold", "another Helper."
As for those evil servants, Jesus does not say they lose salvation, but rather that He would “cut him in two.” Which in translation by the Holy Spirit, simply means what they will receive will be by their own measure. In other words, for not rightly dividing, not rightly “cutting” the gospel properly as each passage pertains to each of the two “folds” that Jesus said He “must bring”, they are cut out of entering into that spiritual state of being “alive and remaining” spoke of by Paul, and will see death before receiving the fullness of their salvation, which is the fate of “hypocrites” promised by Christ.
All of which, to our shame, “grieves the Holy Spirit.”
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword." Matthew 10:34
It is not as if Jesus did not mention it, or that Paul took it upon himself to veer off the path of the gospel against Jesus. Not at all. Jesus not only mentioned it, he warned of the consequences of not doing what Paul later expounded upon. We need to remember that Jesus did say “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” Which makes Paul’s expounding upon this completely in accord with Jesus’ promise to send another Helper to lead Paul and us “into all truth.” Which again means many here, and indeed, many in all of Christendom have either been blind to it, or have totally and intentionally disregarded it.
Now there is some disagreement of what the translation and meaning of “rightly dividing” the word of truth (the gospel) should be. Some refer to the original language and translate it as “cut straightly”, or “rightly handle”…which of course might give one a different perspective on just what we were directed to do during these times of the gentile [nations], the church age. Certainly, one would want to “rightly handle” the gospel—but Jesus really left no room to change these passages to mean something gentle. See for yourself. Here is what Jesus said:
“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 24:45-51
The passage above is addressing those servants that are either “rightly handling” the gospel, or not. But the word Jesus uses is not “handle” it’s “cut.” So, if you want to soften the language and remove the harshness that Jesus has clearly stated—you may be one of those who have been blind to the whole directive, and doing a disservice (no, that’s too nice), you are likely in the “evil servant” crowd. In other words, you should go back and read it all again and be on your face before God.
But these things are all now under the care and management of the Holy Spirit, that other Helper sent by Jesus. It is in that Spirit that I will now say that this blindness was foretold, and was the purpose of “tongues.” Which was an object lesson that explains that without interpretation, the words authored by the Holy Spirit, sound crazy. By which teaching, we should now be well prepared and even expect exactly what we have now seen come to fruition—those speaking the truth by the Holy Spirit, and those who think it’s crazy, and even against God.
And here we are. Fighting.
Of course, some will say that this very prescription arranged by Jesus and managed by the Holy Spirit, will open up the possibility of complete chaos. But such a lack of trust in God’s ability to manage His own affairs, is merely the fruit of unbelief by those of little faith. And of course, God is not shortsighted and left us without a means of determining what is true and what is false. Not at all. He has told us to test every spirit, and that all things need to agree with the scriptures-- which does not mean everything needs to agree with ones own understanding, but rather, that the truth can be confirmed by the truth. God is Truth.
It is also important to remember that Jesus Himself did this very thing-- "rightly dividing the word of truth." For which He explained, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 15:24 Thus, we of the church age are rather under the care of "another Helper." In His words: "another fold", "another Helper."
As for those evil servants, Jesus does not say they lose salvation, but rather that He would “cut him in two.” Which in translation by the Holy Spirit, simply means what they will receive will be by their own measure. In other words, for not rightly dividing, not rightly “cutting” the gospel properly as each passage pertains to each of the two “folds” that Jesus said He “must bring”, they are cut out of entering into that spiritual state of being “alive and remaining” spoke of by Paul, and will see death before receiving the fullness of their salvation, which is the fate of “hypocrites” promised by Christ.
All of which, to our shame, “grieves the Holy Spirit.”
“Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:25-32
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