The Second Step and Cause of Divisions

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We have just seen that the first main cause is our low state, which state Satan has succeeded in producing. It is then that "the wolf...scattereth the sheep" (John 10:1212But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. (John 10:12)). "We are not ignorant of his devices" (2 Cor. 2:1111Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. (2 Corinthians 2:11)). At Corinth it was carnality and the worldly-mindedness of the saints who failed to judge themselves that produced schism (1 Cor. 11:1818For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. (1 Corinthians 11:18)). They followed their favorite leaders, reigned as kings, walked like other men of the world and the lusts common to the men of the world became rampant among themselves! (1 Cor. 5:1,21It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 2And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. (1 Corinthians 5:1‑2); 2 Cor. 12:20,2120For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: 21And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. (2 Corinthians 12:20‑21).) Therefore because of their shameful low state they were warned that "there must be also divisions (sects) among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you" (1 Cor. 11:1919For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. (1 Corinthians 11:19)). Thus a complete rupture would become necessary.
It was this same principle that was at the bottom of the first division of Israel. Through neglect of God's word and disobedience, "King Solomon loved many strange women" who stole his heart from the Lord to their heathen gods. Satan had accomplished that, through Solomon's lusts. Therefore, the Lord rent the kingdom (1 Kings 11:11, 12, 31; 12:15, 24; 14:811Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. 12Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. (1 Kings 11:11‑12)
31And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee: (1 Kings 11:31)
15Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the Lord, that he might perform his saying, which the Lord spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat. (1 Kings 12:15)
24Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the Lord, and returned to depart, according to the word of the Lord. (1 Kings 12:24)
8And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes; (1 Kings 14:8); 2 Kings 17:2121For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the Lord, and made them sin a great sin. (2 Kings 17:21); 2 Chron. 10:15; 11:415So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the Lord might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. (2 Chronicles 10:15)
4Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the Lord, and returned from going against Jeroboam. (2 Chronicles 11:4)). So many overlook this, but it shows how the Lord must discipline by sloughing off that which He can no longer tolerate. It may be kings, princes or influential leaders who become the instruments, gaining sympathizers and followers.
We have called attention to all this to show the vanity of so many vain efforts to thwart division under the pious plea for producing "peace". Such is untempered mortar—insipid. Human effort is folly.
We should contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered unto the saints (Jude 33Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 3)), and hold fast the truth as to the "one body", "the one place", our "acceptance in the Beloved", "the blessed hope". But have we held that fast which has been committed to us? (Rev. 3:1111Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Revelation 3:11)). Perhaps we have in a considerable measure outwardly, but how about our really giving Christ the first place in all our ways? If this is lacking, then something more than talking about humbling ourselves and judging ourselves is our only hope (Lam. 3:18-2918And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord: 19Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. 20My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. 21This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. 27It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. 28He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. 29He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope. (Lamentations 3:18‑29)). I must get at the root of the matter by beginning with and thoroughly judging myself. Nothing less will honor God.