Have you ever wondered why there is so much religious confusion in the world? Most people see the confusion but would rather ignore the fact people are divided. It used to be people would make statements like “we can agree to disagree” or “we are all headed to heaven, just on different roads.” These arguments are not answering as to why people are religiously divided, they just give license to be divided.

The Bible says, “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Earlier in the same book, Paul asked “is Christ divided?” (1 Corinthians 1:10). The answer is no. Christ is not divided, which is the meaning of the word “denomination” by the way. God is not the author of confusion. So what can we do to end division?

1. Quit trying to rewrite the Bible!

Nobody would do this, right? Take note of what was recorded on townhall.com:

“The King James version of the Bible has been hijacked by gay activists who want to rewrite history. Anonymous editors have published a Bible “friendly to gays,” and have edited eight major verses to fit their narrative. The “Queen James Bible” is available on Amazon and is described as, “A Gay Bible. The Queen James Bible is based on The King James Bible, edited to prevent homophobic misinterpretation.” 

Although most people would not go to this extreme, many will still try to rewrite the Bible to justify their sins. “God didn’t say not to” is a favorite argument for justification. Essentially, adding “thoughts” God had not found in the Bible that fit their wants and agendas.

2. Quit trying to make God in our own image!

Have we forgotten that “God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26).

What makes us think that we created God? By choosing to do what we want spiritually, are we not saying God is created after OUR image? God gave us the ability to reason, to understand, and to follow Him. When we choose to ignore those traits, we “do what is right in our own eyes” (Judges 17:6) and tell God who He is.

3. Quit trying to make God fit into our culture!

I’m sure you’ve heard the arguments:

“Jesus would accept the homosexual lifestyle if He were on earth today.”

“Jesus would support my global warming arguments.”

These statements, as well as others, indicate that if Jesus lived in our society, he would agree with the standard set by our culture. Really?

When Jesus left this earth after His resurrection, two angels stood by the apostles that watched Jesus ascend with the clouds made this comment, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you say Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). Did you catch that? The SAME Jesus! The sinful actions Jesus stood against while on earth will still be sins when He returns! Just because our society has accepted lifestyles that are sins mentioned in the Bible, does not mean God will change His mind, remember, “For I am the Lord, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6).

How do we stop division and confusion? Simple. We quit trying to rewrite the Bible, quit trying to make God in our image, and quit trying to fit God into our culture! God is God!

“Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89).

By: Justin Odom