The Divide

We are told in a parable from Jesus (Luke 16) that there exists a “chasm” between heaven and hell.  The story is about the beggar Lazarus and the rich man.  In the story Abraham has a request from the rich man to have Lazarus dip his finger in water and cool his tongue because he was in agony from the fire (I find it remarkable that the rich man in agony is still trying get service from Lazarus, talk about the perverted mindset and its inability to see its own reality!), but Abraham responds that he cannot cross the “chasm” even if he wanted to help him.  This uncrossable divide exists among the people of this world today, it does not only exists in the afterlife.  There are some on one side and some on another side. 

I continue to study and remain interested in how people with good intentions can so believe they are right that they hate each other, even while each proposes to stand for the same good.  This does not seem possible to the logical thinker, yet it exist. 

There are examples of this in the life of Jesus.  He was the Son of God, sent from God for mankind.  His words were God’s words.  His actions were as directed from God.  Also in this society were the leaders of the church of God.  These were the most studied people in that society of God’s written words.  The society was a theocracy based upon those same written words.  The people are God’s chosen people and He had a long history of rescuing their forefathers in miraculous ways.  The stories were written down and told and retold.  The children memorized them and they all memorized portions of the written words of God.

How then was it that the Son of God, speaking God’s word and doing His purpose and the leaders of the people of God and the church of God, were so opposed?  They were both doing the same good, right?  Apparently not as Jesus has some incredibly strong verbal descriptions of these church leaders.  Some of the most compelling verbal assaults come in Matthew 23.  Even if you read it in toned down versions of the Bible it is still hurtful.

Imagine a teacher/preacher/wise (rabbi) man saying these things towards you.  “Hypocrites! … Blind guides! … Blind fools! … Snakes! … Sons of vipers!”  In that day, His reference to snakes and sons of vipers would have been the same as declaring them to be demons and the sons of Satan.  That is very strong judgmental, condemning and accusatory language.  How would you feel?  Would you investigate your heart to see if He was right or would you defend yourself in every way that you could?

The answer to that question is what separates man to one side of the "chasm" or the other.  If the Spirit of God is allowed to convict His sin, he goes to one side.  If it isn't, he goes to the other.  

On the other side, the church leaders worked diligently to find a way to trap Him in His own language so they could arrest Him.  The set trap after trap.  They looked for every way possible to condemn Him and put Him away.  Finally, they simply made up lies, paid people to say lies, created every perception in their area of influence to convince people to want Him to die.  Then they created an atmosphere so that the ruling government in the day would kill Him.

Yet, both were supposedly representing the same God?  Obviously they did not.  One was right and one was wrong.  Satan used those who were willing to lie, cheat, and steal to create confusion and divide the church.  And this divide is unable to be crossed.  Satan thought that by dealing Jesus blow after blow from His own people that he would win the victory over God, but he was wrong.  He only made the love of God stronger and more powerful in the lives of men.  It was from Satan’s work that God was able to provide a way to travel over the “chasm” using the Cross.

This is true in my life as well. 

Every time the devil hits me to knock me down he thinks he is winning, but all he is doing is revealing to me how strong my God is.  With each blow my faith becomes stronger because I have to rely upon it completely to survive.  Soon, he will have so beat me down that none of me will exist and he will only have God to face.  I wonder, what he will be able to do then but run and hide!

Do not be dismayed today Christian.  There may be those who, claiming to do the greater good, oppose you because of God and His work in your life.  Stay in God’s care.  Rely upon Him and Him alone.  Let your faith increase and for Him to be revealed more and more.  Truth will win and lies will be revealed.  Allow yourself to be removed so God can stand alone where you are.  There does not exist such an entity that will stand toe-to-toe with God.