This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

--Parallel verses:
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭5‬
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

We live perpetually in an age of division. One of Satan’s chief tactics is to create division in the church and among those who claim to be followers of Jesus. He does this by having them focus on debates and issues not centered on the gospel.

This happened to the Jews specifically before Jesus, with the Pharisees, the Sadducees and other sub-groups of the Jewish religion. And it continues to happen today. Some of these are genealogy based: like somehow Jews today aren’t the real Jews, but through genealogical records, are imposters. Some of these are based on beliefs that the Bible is completely theoretical, and so it allows our imagination to replace God’s Word. The arguments go … Adam and Eve could have just been a placeholder for hundreds of people who started the earth. And others try to segment out the truth of the Bible, by saying certain clear teachings change with different cultures and are outdated, like the teaching around sexual sin and homosexuality.

It is hard to always understand the motives of people who argue about specific topics they disagree on. Such hyper-focus is divisive. We need to live out the Bible’s main calling. Paul’s teaching is clear here: do not get caught up in endless debates. Warn these divisive people a couple of times. Then move on.

Why does he say this? It is because we are mostly to be about doing good works. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬) It is why we were designed in the image of God. When we do good works in line with God’s will for us (with a good attitude and motivation, good timing, and with a right heart), the Spirit of God shines through us and starts to transform our minds.

This transformation is described here: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, emphasis mine)

It is a matter of trusting God that his Word is eternal, indestructible, and does not change with time or the culture. Some societal laws for the Jews, who started out living as a Theocracy, God has allowed Gentiles to not keep. But his nature is unchanging, and his promises therefore are always true.

Instead of a divisive focus, let us unite around the gospel of Jesus and live life in surrender and all-out devotion to his work and his ways! And let us be focused on working together to build the church, not out of causes or in fear, but in unity around Christ and in love.

Lord, thank you for this direct and challenging word from Paul. It serves as a compass to redirect your people and a warning for those who tirelessly work to get them off course through divisive arguments. Draw us to your truth and help us to be active in serving and obeying your Word!