The Truth of God Separates

​In recent years, many churches have focused on the aspect of inclusion to the degree of taking out everything that might offend anyone in attendance.  No church or Christian should ever purposefully offend another person (2 Corinthians 6:3) or be a stumbling block (1 Corinthians 8:9) to other people.  Even with the best intentions of not wanting to offend, every church and Christian must not compromise the truth of God or God’s Word.  The truth of God draws a line in the sand (so to speak) and separates the people who submit to God’s Word and those who rebel against His truth by not living it.  Submitting to God requires studying the Bible AND living the Word of God out through character by doing what it says.  Living out the Word of God will create a separation between those that apply God’s truth to be holy people of God while those that choose to oppose His truth will desire the separation out of conviction.  Many people view Jesus as the Messiah to bring everyone from everywhere together but even He describes Himself as a divider (Matthew 10:34-36).  Jesus goes a step further to say that anyone who loves family more than Him is not worthy of Him (Matthew 10:37).  It is not hatred within a family that Jesus wants or encourages, but Jesus is reflecting on the separation of those who reject Jesus in their lives as opposed to those of the same family that has given their lives to serve Him.  This reality should be a motivation to encourage Christians to witness to people within their lives of the salvation that can be found in Jesus Christ.  Separation is not an easy situation no matter the origin.  To have the truth of God bring this separation displays the heart of each person.  Serving God is to be conducted with the very best effort or also known as heartily (Colossians 3:23).  Once a Christian realizes the blessings that come from being faithful to God they should be immovable from the truth of God no matter the cost (1 Corinthians 15:58).  The truth of God forces people to look at their lifestyle and compare it to how the Bible says to live.  Those that desire God and His presence within their lives will submit and obey.  During this submission and obedience, others that have chosen to not obey or submit to the truth of God may be convicted of their own sin and mock God or at the very least attempt to plant the idea of having a lower standard of Christianity within the person that is dedicating their life to God’s truth.  It takes a strong Christian to stand and not compromise the truth of God and the things of God.  A great motivation for not compromising the things of God is remembering that one day Jesus will separate the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:32-34).  This is an analogy of sheep that reflects the submitted and obedient people of God while goats are a reflection of those who do what they desire and do not submit to the truth of God.  Again, this separation comes as Jesus is doing the separating although it is by choice of each individual that determines if a person is a sheep or goat.  Where do you stand regarding the truth of God?  Do you stand in submission and obedience to the truth of God?  Or are you standing in opposition living life how you desire and neglecting the truth of God?  Which side do you choose?