March 31, 2025 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Luke - Not Peace, but Division
Luke 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! 51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
There has always been a line of demarcation in the sand when we speak of the lost ungodly sinner and the saved born again believer. That same line is drawn when we speak of the Christian’s view of the world compared to the lost world view. It is drawn when one speaks of religion verses Christianity, and evolution verses creation, and world dominion verses the world domination. There is division over these issues and more, like professing Christians living like the world and those who live truly live for Christ.
The Lord mentioned the issue of fire and baptism before.
Luke 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: 17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
For the believer, we are baptized into the body of Christ.
Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
For the unbeliever, they are baptized into fire; the fire of judgment.
The phrase that is of utmost importance is: "he shall baptize you with the ... fire:" The word baptize means to plunge under.
Couple the word plunge with fire, it means people will be plunged under or into the fire. It is the fire of judgment.
The Lord will utilize the fan in His hand to aerate the fires of judgment. ”Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.”
My friend, that is where the line in the sand is drawn and that is where division begins, for many believe that God is love and everyone will eventually be saved and everything will be copacetic. But, God says repent and turn from sin and place your complete trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to save your soul.
Luke 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! 51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
The line of division is drawn; what side of that line are you on?
The ultimate thought on this issue is this, Jesus is the one speaking and He is the one who sends fire and straightens until all is accomplished. He is the one to whom we will all answer.
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
