When the Gospel Divides

When I’ve preached in prisons, no one has disagreed when I’ve pointed out that we’re all sinners. They know it.

On the other hand, those who think of themselves as moral might hear that and say, “Wait a second. What are you talking about? I’m not a sinner. I’m a good person. I live by certain standards and rules.”

Yet Romans 3 tells us, “As the Scriptures say, ‘No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one’” (verses 10–12 NLT).

That doesn’t sit well with some people in a society where there’s so much emphasis on self-image and self-worth. Yet God essentially says, “You’re not good. And there isn’t even one righteous person.”

That stings. It cuts. It hurts.

But then God’s Holy Spirit works within our hearts. We begin to recognize that it’s true, and we believe it. So, we accept God’s remedy. And that which initially brought us pain ultimately brings us life.

Jesus said, “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34 NLT).

So, if you’re seeking to live a godly life and it’s causing division because you’re unwilling to compromise your faith in Christ, don’t lament. Think of it this way: It’s better to temporarily offend someone who doesn’t know Jesus Christ and see them ultimately come to faith than to never offend them in any way and see them enter eternity without Him.

If you’re going to be a true disciple in a given situation, it may bring temporary division. It may cause temporary pain. But ultimately, it can bring the greatest harmony of all.