Does contending for the faith have to be divisive?

Jesus said, “Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division” (Luke 12:51-53).  His ministry brought division wherever He went (John 7:43; 9:16). It was separating those who wanted to pursue the truth from those who did not and wanted the error influenced by their religious leaders. Separation becomes THE Issue in the end.

Inconsequential differences should not be issues to divide over, especially on matters that   If everyone adheres to and practices the core doctrines that make us Christians we have unity. We also will have peace with one another.

We have to accept the fact that God’s truth divides. False teachers will purposely try not to be noticed, and will bring division in the Church by distorting and departing from the Word while at the same time speaking it accurately. They cause division by introducing new teachings that opposes the apostles teaching. Jude makes it clear those who cause divisions do not have the Spirit of truth. If we are to notice this one must use discernment to bring into question something that can, or, already has divided the Church from the doctrine we are to practice. Pointing this out is not making division but helping people recognize that division has already occurred and avoid further departure from the Scripture that can bring harm to the sheep.

 There has always been a certain amount of disagreement even discord and division in the Church. This is to be expected.  It depends what the division is about. 1 Corinthians 11:18-19 says, “For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions (heresies) exist among you; and in part, I believe it. For there must also be heresies among you, in order that those who are approved may have become evident among you.”  To test what is said then gives approval to those who correct in doctrine and helps us identify whom we are to separate from who are wrong in doctrine. 

The Apostle Paul commands believers, “Now I urge you, brethren, NOTE (identify) THEM who cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them. For those are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17-18).

Unfortunately many have not learned right doctrine so they have no basis to know when one has departed from it, they themselves are not walking in it.

When we read of people’s names identified with error written in the Scripture we must assume the apostles said even more than this publicly. Proverbs 27:5: “Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed.” Peter wrongly influenced others publicly, so Paul openly questioned Peter, a leader of the church -Paul corrected and rebuked Peter publicly for his compromise of doctrine (Gala.2).

Charles Spurgeon stated “Neither when we have chosen our way can we keep company with those who go the other way. There must come with decision for truth a corresponding protest against error.”

We are in perilous times not because we have too much judging, but too little. We put up with a lot that we should not, we allow spiritual falsehood to work among us and sometimes we mistakenly (and intentionally) call it God’s work.

 The greatest area of compromise today is befriending those who teach error, or blatant heresy. They are adversaries to the truth.  We are not to allow these people a platform to speak in the assembly of the church. Christians are told, “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:11). We are not to appear with them on speaking platforms and give an appearance of approval lest we cause others to stumble. That includes being on the TV networks TBN and Daystar.

We are to have no partnership with them. Paul says stop having fellowship. V.13 “…for whatever makes manifest is light.” Instead reprove (Gr. Elegcho), means to find fault with, to call to account, correct openly, denounce, (John 3:20), to expose; convince the people that they are wrong; by bringing it to the light.  Our Biblical answer is to be Jude 1:3: “contend earnestly for the faith.” It means to speak up about those teaching falsehood inside the church. Truth confronts error for it to be known to the sheep; by pointing out the error you show a love for the truth, you show love for the sheep.

If Instead of being bold for the truth, many have learned to tolerate lies. Authentic love means loving people enough to challenge them with the truth, despite their rejection.