United We Stand, Divided We Fall

By:  Dale Weckbacher

John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." 

NKJV

A strategy of divide and conquer has been effective throughout history in warfare.  Even the mightiest of armies can be defeated through this strategy and has recently manifested itself in U.S. history since World War II.  (1)  Since the great victory of World War II, the United States has failed to achieve victory by allowing the nation to become divided politically and pulling out of engagements before victory is complete. 

Unfortunately, a similar strategy of divide and conquer has occurred in spiritual warfare, rendering the people of God ineffective in battling evil in the world and hindering the advancement of the message of the Gospel.  This division has caused the world to fail to see the Church as disciples or followers of Christ and instead caused the world to see the Church as an obstruction to the furtherance of the establishment of utopia.  Therefore, we as a Church body must unify.  However, there are things behind which we as a Church will not unify.

1)      Love of the World – In John 13:34-35, Jesus is not calling for his disciples to unify by accepting the evil of their world.  Instead, He is calling for unity among themselves by loving one another.  Unfortunately, many churches today have embarked on a strategy of acceptance of abortion and same sex marriage as a means of demonstrating unity with secular culture.  (2)  The facts, however, show that the adoption of this strategy of love of the world is actually resulting in a decline in church membership.  (3) 

2)      Love of Socialism – On the surface, the governmental system of socialism may appear to be compassionate since it calls for the redistribution of wealth from the rich to the poor of the world.  However, the Bible calls for voluntary wealth redistribution through people giving to God out of their love for Him and having that money used to further the Gospel which includes giving to the poor and needy in our world.  Socialism fails because it represents forced wealth redistribution through government coercion and is not based on love towards the poor by those whose wealth is confiscated.  2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us that God loves a cheerful giver, something missing with forced wealth redistribution through socialism.

Instead, I believe God wants his church to unify behind,

1)      A love for Jesus Christ and The Gospel – In John13:35, Jesus tells us that the world will know we are Disciples of Christ by our love for one another.  We, however, are all human and will have differences of opinion and even political views.  However, when we as a church unify behind our love for Jesus Christ and what he did for us all on the cross, we are able to put these petty differences aside and embark on the mission Jesus has for his Church, the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark16:14-18). 

2)      A love for the Word of God – While we as a church body await the return of the bridegroom, Jesus Christ, to take us home to be with him, we have the promises of the Bible, The Word of God, to cling to.  Unfortunately, the loud voices of media and political correctness in the world can drown out the still small voice of the Holy Spirit and The Word of God.  It is therefore imperative for the Church to develop a love for The Word of God and allow it to drown out the loud voices of media and political correctness. 

The world culture is on a swift rate of decline.  The only hope for people caught up in cultural decline is a Church unified behind a love of Jesus Christ, the Gospel, and the Word of God.  We therefore, as a church body must not cave in to political correctness and current cultural norms and instead stand strong in our love for one another, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and His Word. 

Jesus is returning soon.  Will we be part of a compromising church allowing itself to be divided in its loyalty with the world and Christ or will we be part of a church showing the way to salvation through loving one another and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  As for me, I choose the later.  What about yourself? 

1. Mack, Andrew. Why Big Nations Lose Small Wars: The Politics of Asymmetric Conflict. journals.cambridge.org. [Online] Cambridge Journals, January 1975. [Cited: March 5, 2016.] journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7663356&field=S0043887100017408.

2. Griswold, Alexander. How to Shrink Your Church In One Easy Step. thefederalist.com. [Online] The Federalist, August 21, 2014. [Cited: March 5, 2016.] thefederalist.com/2014/08/21/how-to-shrink-your-church-in-one-easy-step/.

3. Pew Research Center. America’s Changing Religious Landscape. www.pewforum.org. [Online] Pew Research Center, May 12, 2015. [Cited: May 17, 2015.] http://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/.