Let Us Be One

March 25, 2024

Monday

We are an extremely divided nation that continues to separate itself from others. Maybe that comes from the redistricting of voting areas that allow politicians to ignore what the other side says. Maybe that comes from people believing anyone different from them is evil. Maybe that comes from a disconnected people who can't have conversations face-to-face anymore. Maybe that comes from isolating oneself from hearing both sides of every story. Surely, social media, news stations and clustering in homogenous groups haven't helped.

Even the church is divided. The United Methodist recently had a split. The Southern Baptist are always having splits. Even individual churches have splits because people can't seem to get along with each other. The last time we were on the same page was right after 9/11 and that didn't last that long.

At least the church should know who our common enemy is. We should, but somehow we act as if our common enemy is each other. Truthfully, the stakes are too high for us to fight with one another when Satan is enjoying his victories. Sure, churches can grow by rallying all those of a certain political view but that does not bring one person into the kingdom. Satan doesn't care how big our churches are as long as we are only baptizing our own children and those who agree with us politically. As long as we aren't making disciples, he is as pleased as punch.

The only unifying factor must be Jesus. We must turn our eyes away from each other and focus our eyes on Jesus. We need to love Him in complete obedience. We need to realize that each political party needs Jesus. We need to realize that many of the things we are fighting about in our churches are not essential to accomplish our mandate of making disciples. We need to repent of losing the vision God has given us. We need to be sensitive to those who do not know Jesus rather than being critical of them. We must break down the barriers of race and music and whether or not we wear robes or worship in Levis that we claim makes us special before God. We should see every person as one whom Jesus died for.

Then, with our eyes on Jesus, I think we could be one. Frankly, I don't see another solution.

John 17:11 (NASB 2020)¹¹ I am no longer going to be in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, so that they may be one just as We are.