Last month I wrote a commentary titled, Israel: A House Divided (Read it here). Here is part of what I said:

Indications for the future of Israel aren't good. The house of Israel is deeply divided. And, this opens wide the door to Israel's enemies.

And I reminded readers what Jesus said about a divided house. He said:

Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself shall not stand (Matthew 12:25) New American Standard Bible).

Unfortunately, Israel isn't the only divided house. We born-again, Bible believing Christians have also become a divided house. And, the deceptions that divide us have deepened.

Take for example that invisible line drawn between Christians who believe all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are still active, and those who don't. On both sides of this line we find true followers of Jesus -- true born again, Bible believing Christians. Unfortunately, on both sides of this line we also find the wolves -- false brethren bringing in heresies of every kind.

On one side these wolves are attempting to lead the sheep astray from sound doctrine and the Bible through deceiving signs and wonders. On the other side these wolves are cleverly challenging the authority of the Bible through academics and denial of the power of God. And if followed all the way, in both cases the result will be as Paul warned -- the sheep separated from their "simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ" ( 1 Corinthians 11:3). 

And this is just one example. All you have to do is drive through any community today and look at all the many churches to see how the enemy has divided us. And, like I said about Israel, the indications for the church aren't good. Like Israel, we Christians have become a deeply divided house. 

But, this isn't a new problem. You see, the enemy has been working to divide the body of Christ from the beginning. In his letter to the young Christian church at Corinth Paul said:

For I have been informed ... that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ" ( 1 Corinthians 1:11-13 } 

Then Paul asks these believers a penetrating question ... a question that should bring a pause to the heart of all of us who truly love Jesus. Paul asks:

Has Christ been divided?