Ears To Hear # 71
CIVIL WAR
“Behold,
(look, see, and ponder) how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”
Psalm
133:1
Our
Lord drew my thoughts this morning to the Civil War in U.S. history. Praise
God for the computer and internet. Through it, I was able to read a quick review.
History
in the Bible teaches us so much. History since the Bible, continues to teach us as we read and
see how it relates to God and His Word.
“Wars
and rumors of wars” continue to this day; as Jesus prophesied in Mark 13:7-8. He prepared
us for the signs of the end. He said these are the beginning of sorrows. In verse 23, He
said, “But take ye heed, (be aware): behold (look, see, believe Me) I have foretold you
all things (ahead of time) so you can be ready.” And verse 33, “Take ye heed, watch
and pray; for ye know not when the time is.”
Let’s
be ready for the day we shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. (Verse
26).
DIS-UNITY
My
spirit continues to grieve over the disunity I see in the Body of Christ. How do you think it
makes our Father feel when He sees us arguing and quarreling without finding unity among us?
Will
He find war in our camps when He returns? Does He see it now? Are we saying as Joshua did
to Moses in Exodus 32:17, “There is a noise of war in the camp.” Surely our Lord can
hear us.
IS
THERE CIVIL WAR
IN
THE
BODY OF CHRIST?
Is
it not enough that we fight the outside forces of evil? Must we quarrel and debate among ourselves. Is
there not a solution to this battle?
In
U.S. history, the conflict of 1861-65 between the Northern states and the Southern states that seceded
(withdrew) from the Union (unity), is generally known in the South as the War Between the States and
also called the War of Rebellion and the War for Southern Independence.
This
war became so complex that historians still do not agree on its basic causes. Some viewed it as
criminally stupid, an unnecessary blood letting brought on by arrogant extremists.
Both
views accept the fact that in 1861 there existed a situation that, rightly or wrongly, had come
to be regarded as insoluble by peaceful means.
The
South wanted to keep their slaves and the North thought they should be freed. This war became
a sectional battle, dividing our country.
The Compromise
of 1850 was intended as a permanent solution. But, we know this did not work either. Compromise
in the Body of Christ does not work any better.
So,
history repeats itself even in the Body of Christ. What can be done?
CIVIL
WAR?
What
a strange name. There is nothing civil about war. The synonyms for the word “civil” are: polite,
courteous, gallant, and chivalrous. All these terms could represent a Christian and a people (civilians)
who desire to walk in Peace.
HOW
DO THESE WARS
GET
STARTED?
James
4:1 asks the same question and answers it. “From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come
they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” In other words, from “worldliness
and pride.”
The
Civil War in U.S. history came for the same reason. Are
we to be like the world? As long as we are, we too, will be divided like the North and South.
Is
there any peace in division? Is there any comfort, joy, or promised success from being divided? “A
house divided against itself cannot stand.” (Mark 3:25 and Luke 11:17).
CAN
TWO WALK TOGETHER?
Only
if they are in agreement.
“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”(
Amos 3:3
). So, where do we find agreement? Where do we find Peace? What can we do?
I
pray that you will all answer these questions for yourself. We can find many answers in God’s
Word. Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
I
SEE A MAJOR SOLUTION
When
God’s children, no matter what church they attend, what background or nationality, return to
God’s Word for answers to their daily needs, they will find Peace through understanding of His
ways.
TIME
TO REPENT
Perhaps
it’s time for us all to repent of our Civil (?) wars we have taken part in in the Body of Christ. Perhaps
it’s time to make a new commitment to seek Peace in the Sanctuary. So that there be no more
quarreling among our brothers and sisters over boundaries of our beliefs.
I
count it no greater honor, than to seek God above all others. No more slavery to any man’s
tradition, but free to hear the voice of God for ourselves…trusting His Word and His Ways to
the best of our God-Given abilities. Not to jostle each other as in Joel 2:8, or enslaving others
to be like us rather than like Jesus, preventing any child of God from getting to know our Father personally.
We
may introduce them to Jesus and the Father, but then we must step out from between them and God. All
eyes are to be focused on Jesus, more than self or each other.
SAD
TO SAY
No! There
will not be peace in the world, yet. And since the world has entered our local places of worship,
there will continue to be wars and rumors of wars even affecting the Bride of Christ.
Since
the Kingdom of God is Peace (Romans 14:17), as His children, we can walk in Peace wherever we are. We
can study Peace and not War. We can make a difference when we make a refreshed agreement and walk
together in Love.
GLAD
TO SAY
As
Isaiah 2:4b prophesies, the time is coming when “…nation shall not lift up sword against
nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
Oh,
Hallelujah! I believe that time is very near.
A
promise in Psalm 46:9a, “He maketh wars to cease to the end of the earth.” I believe
that means internally and externally, individuals and all over the world. Praise God!
I
believe our Lord spoke through David when he said in Psalm 120:7a, “I am for Peace.”
PRAY
FOR PEACE
Our
Lord tells us to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem; they that love thee shall prosper. Pray for
Peace within her walls and prosperity in her palaces.” (Psalm 122:6-7).
When
Peace returns to Jerusalem (the fig tree), our peace will be complete because our Lord will have returned
for us. When He does, will He find us promoting War or Peace?
I
vote for Peace.
