Slicing and Dicing with Jesus

UMC Split

 

Lubber OpinionLubber Opinion

The views and opinions expressed by this lubber do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the crew. Reader discretion be advised. – Staff

 

Do not make the mistake of thinking the Son come ter bring peace on earth. A good many like ter teach and preach that the Son wants all ter live in peace, and he does. A good many like ter teach and preach that the Son wants all in his Body ter live in peace and unity, and he does.

But the Son also warned he would be a divisive figure—that his words and commands whar designed ter sort out those who be with him and those who be agin him.

“I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. I have come to turn

  • a son against his father
  • a daughter against her mother
  • a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law

A man’s enemies will be members of his own household. ” – Jesus (Luke 12:53)

The Son reminds us that long ago it whar prophesied that his coming would be the undoing of peace among families, even church families.

For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies are the members of his own household. (Micah 7:6)

The Son comes not simply ter take away peace, but ter start a ruckus.

“I have come to bring fire on the earth and I wish it were already kindled!” – Jesus (Luke 12:49)

“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. Anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” – Jesus (Matthew 10:37-38)

What string of words in Skip’s Code of Conduct doth ya find offensive? What passage of Skip’s doth ya refuse ter read and believe? Those words of Skip that trips ya up be a trap set by the devil, ya may lay ter that.

What acts of the Son doth ya find offensive? Be it fergiving yer enemies? Praying fer ’em who hate ya? Selling yer possessions ter care fer the poor? Showing mercy ter ’em who repent and ask fer a second and third chance? Offering grace ter ’em who squandered the last loan ya give ’em? Getting baptized in the same manner the Son whar baptized? Withholding the blood of the Son and his body in communion from the unrepentant?

Think on this a wee little bit: anyone who refuses ter go with the Son ter tha cross is not worthy of him. He calls us ter cast off all, including folks, in order ter obey him, serve him, honor him. 

The Son created all things (Colossians 1:16) (John 1:3). Heaven and earth, male and female, all God’s law, commandments, promises, and prophecies… ever’ thing good and righteous whar created through the Son.

The Son created all things fer himself  (Colossians 1:16). All creation whar made fer the Son. He is the king of kings and lord of lords. Though the prince of the power of the air, the devil, ‘as dominion over the earth fer a short while longer, the Son ‘as already defeated that old snake (Revelation 1:18). The devil’s time be coming ter a close, but befer the Son casts him inter the abyss, that lying rascal seeks ter take as many deceived souls with him as possible.

A split be comin’ and the Son desires the separating and sorting ter commence (Luke 12:51). Question be, will we go with the Son or the devil? Will we fall ter the temptation of doubting Skipper’s words, the Son’s authorship and authority? Will we worship the devil in order ter gain friendship with the world?

Or will we love him with all our body, mind, heart, strength, and soul?