Part of our human condition is that we live conflicted lives. We believe one thing but do another. We know the good we should do but we don’t do it. We know the wrong we shouldn’t do but we keep returning to it. We have faith that lives with doubt. We know the truth but we believe the lie. It’s a case of “On the one hand…but on the other hand…”
Jesus was once accused of preaching good while using the powers of evil to drive out demons. But his response in Luke 11 spoke truth: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined and a house divided against itself will fall.” Good and evil cannot love in harmony with each other.
It was a truth echoed in the Civil War, proclaiming that a nation divided against itself cannot stand. And it’s a current red and blue struggle to stand together as one nation under God today. It’s a truth that resonates within our individual hearts today when we ponder how to live our lives. We cannot have a bit of God and also be filled with his presence and power. We can’t live a life of fretful worry and at the same time experience the peace that surpasses all understanding. We can’t run with the world and stand with God, worshipping him one hour a week and worshipping our own lives the rest. We can’t hate our enemies and love God nor withhold forgiveness from others and ask God to forgive us. If our house is divided, our days will be constantly marked by cleaning up the debris from its falling. There is no victory in living in a divided house, only woe.
Jesus actually speaks six “woes” to people that considered themselves “religious.” And those woes fall upon us today if we live divided lives:
Woe to me if I think there is satisfaction in giving a tenth of my income (or less!) to God while neglecting justice and the love of God with regard to those who live in great need and suffering. (V 42) God owns it all and blesses us so we can bless others. Buy JOY to each who lives generously, who spends themselves on behalf of the hungry. (Isaiah 58:10)
Woe to me if I think so highly of myself that I “deserve” to be treated better than others. (43) but JOY to each who lives humbly before their great God. It’s when we’re humbled that we are drawn close to God and lifted up. A humble heart loves the God a proud heart cannot see.
Woe to me if I live mindlessly without purpose, like an “unmarked grave” that will not be remembered. (V44) But JOY to each who turn to God each day and ask, “What is your purposed agenda for my life today?” The entire purpose of our blessings – and our lives – is to advance the good news of the gospel of Jesus by speaking hope to the lost in practical expressions of love.
Woe to me if I demand that others live according to ritualistic and legalistic rules instead of actually helping them. (V46) But JOY to each who lives in the freedom of his grace and extends that same grace to others in his name.
Woe to me if I build monuments to God and men but don’t live according to his Word. (Vs 47-51) But JOY to each who live in obedience to the call to be set apart from the ways of the world.
Woe to me if I take away the key to truth from those around me, not even living according to it myself. (V 52) But JOY to each who share the truth and grace of Jesus, who let their faith express itself through his love.
Living a life that is divided against itself brings certain woe. But for every woe there is a joy ready to take its place. We have only ONE life to live. Live it well, with JOY.
