Generational Division

By Pastor Walter C. Scott, Let Go and Soar Ministries

January, 2015

James 1:5-8

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

James 1:12-18

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

James 1:19-27

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. 26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Generational division is defined and understood, as I see it, as a disconnect between one generation and the next. The current generation doesn't accept many of the lessons learned by the previous generations. This is in relation to all facets of life. Generational division exists today as it has existed for many generations. This disrespect or disregard for much of what came before is prevalent even when families remain in physical contact. As with all things there are exceptions and these are valuable, fruitful and an example to us all. However, young adults don't usually show respect for previous generations experiences and achievements and have no desire to learn lessons from them. It so often seems that when we grow older our value and worth diminishes in others eyes. There seems to be to much focus on what we do, produce or posses. Far to much emphasis on self-awareness or self-appraisal instead of God's definition of who and what we are.

Romans 12: 3-5

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Galations 3:26-29

26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Colossians 3:11

11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

The today or now generation feels they must learn, perform or experience all things for them-

selves, all over again, and on there own. This continues until they reach an age of awakening when they realize they should have listened and learned. However, by this time many years have gone by and they are beginning to experience the new generations discounting and rejection. The real problem with this thinking and doing is that some of the very critical life lessons aren't learned and they repeat the same mistakes of the past generations. We see a display of perpetual ignorance and arrogant excuses. All we need to do is observe any current government or civilian institution of today and watch it repeat historical mistakes over and over. When this happens we fail to develop a higher level of understanding and human respect as a society. Or to put it in a more simple way; we fail to evolve and progress into the next level of God's plan and purpose for us as a people. This is us trying to achieve or move forward without including God and his if-

finite wisdom.

Proverbs 3: 5-6

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming

It seems to me that science and technology are the only two things that are continually advancing, changing and improving from generation to generation. They require new understanding (from God), yet still required the building blocks of old science and technology (given originally by God) to advance to new discoveries. Almost, if not all other human (natural) spiritual (supernatural) interactions are essentially the same today as they were yesterday. If we chose to utilize them at all. Although some of the tools we use to access and process them may have changed.

Ecclesiastes 3:14-15

14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

15 Whatever is has already been,
    and what will be has been before;
    and God will call the past to account.

(Ref. only-Luke 15:11-32 The parable of the lost son.)

So what reasonable explanation is there to explain this obstinate generational behavior? Do we think this is part of God's purpose and plan for each of us and as a society? Personally I don't believe this is part of God's plan for us. What I do believe is that generational division is satan's plan. Satan likes us to remain ignorant and divided. It serves his purpose by perpetuating the cycle of generational division.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

The following is one explanation of why it serves satan's purpose by us perpetuating this cycle of generational division. During the early generations of mankind the majority of knowledge and skill was passed down from generation to generation through the immediate family or social network. They did this with hands on, one on one, learning through example. Travel and extended communication was very limited, when compared with today's standards. Communities were much closer and elders were respected and their knowledge was needed for survival. The people placed a much higher value and level of respect on and for each other. Their very existence depended on divine interaction and close social structure, and they invested in it. They needed God and each other and interacted with God and each other continuously.

As man and his knowledge ( science&technology ) progressed, increased and developed through the centuries man felt less and less reliant on his own social structure and especially on God. The relevance was diminishing because man could gain worldly knowledge and experience outside of and away from God and a familiar social network. Man thought more about worldly ambitions and less about his creator God and his future eternal home. He or she developed many different perspectives about their place in the world and different belief systems. The focus seemed to become more about self; self -appraisal, self-reliance and self-centeredness. Ego and greed were usually the dominant characteristics and society often did not see the need or benefit of an intimate relationship with Triune God. Satan is having much greater success in these current generations than in the many previous ones. The good news is that it doesn't have to be or remain that way.

So what can be done about this generational division? How can we promote unity in the body and a sense of dependence, trust and reliance on one another? How can we learn to be unselfish and put others before self? Not just as an outward public gesture, but to actually benefit others in truth and genuine love for all of our brothers and sisters. Number one pray often and rely on Triune God and follow the instructions in His word (Bible). Put your hope, trust, faith and belief in Him. Totally surrender, forgive and repent always walking in unconditional love and obedience. And always raise up the next generation to do the same. Ref. Proverbs 22:6. This will bring about the practical manifestations (fruit of the spirit) of your faith through the grace we all received from Father God.

Galatians 5:22-23

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Matthew 7:12

12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Philippians 2:1-4

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, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Colossians 3:12-15

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

James 1: 22

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Love & Peace, amen.