The Force that Binds: Unity in a Divided World

By:  Dale Weckbacher

John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. ³⁵ By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

(ESV)

The United States experienced one of the most divisive elections in my lifetime in 2016.  I do not say this lightly for in my lifetime as a voter I have participated in many contentious elections.  I remember my first election in 1980 where Ronald Reagan defeated an incumbent President, something historically difficult to do.  This is primarily because incumbents enjoy "Name recognition; national attention, fundraising and campaign bases; control over the instruments of government; successful campaign experience; a presumption of success; and voters' inertia and risk-aversion."  Even with these advantages, the incumbent has lost 3 of the last 10 presidential elections where an incumbent was running.  (1)

Then there was the contentious 2000 election where George W. Bush defeated Vice President Al Gore.  I remember the numerous recounts, and court hearings wondering if everything would be settled prior to Inauguration Day creating a constitutional crisis leaving the nation without a president.  The 2000 election was the election that seemed to go on forever.  (2)  I would label the 2016 election as the one we could not wait to be over for it was an election filled with vile hatred and negativity.    

The electoral process however is not the only place where divisiveness dominates our culture and society.  The shootings of police officers in Dallas illustrates the racial divide still present in the United States.  (3)  While the Bible teaches marriage is between a man and a woman (Genesis 5:2) and explicitly condemns homosexuality (Romans1:24-27), the church has a quandary for while it is on scripturally solid ground in taking a stand against the practice of homosexuality along with constitutional protection under the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution, it also is to extend the message of the Gospel to those caught up in this lifestyle.   (4)  The divisive issue of abortion also continues to cause divisiveness in our societies.  This abundance of divisiveness leads us to ask the logical question, what can be done to restore unity to our nations and cultures. 

Erroneously, many well-meaning Christians believe Jesus came almost 2000 years ago to restore unity but as Jesus said in Luke 12:51, He came to bring division.  However, in what could be viewed as a contradiction, Jesus later told his followers to live in unity with one another (John 13:34-35).  Paul went on to emphasize this call for unity in his letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 4:1-16).  To resolve this contradiction, we must view these passages of scripture in context and take note of the audience being addressed. 

In Luke 12, Jesus is addressing his followers cautioning them against false teaching (Luke 12:1-3) and encouraging them to prepare for His return (Luke 12:35-48).  In John however, Jesus is addressing his disciples at the Last Supper, instructing them to live in unity as believers while living in opposition to the sin in their world.  Similarly, Paul is instructing the church in Ephesus to live in unity as a church body standing against the sin and pagan worship of their community. 

Unfortunately, the church has historically failed to follow the instructions of Christ and the Apostle Paul to live in unity and instead has a history of internal divisiveness.  (5)  In fact, the most dangerous guy in the church is not someone of a different race than us, someone with a differing sexual orientation, or someone who is pro-choice but instead it is the one bringing division in the Body of Christ.  (6)  The key, therefore, to bringing unity in our cultures is a church unified in fulfilling the great commission (Mark16:14-20).  This does not however mean that different bodies of believers cannot have differing interpretations of minor theology but that we all must unite behind the mission of spreading the Gospel for this was Jesus final word to his followers. 

It is this unity of purpose that shows our divisive world that we are disciples of Jesus (John 13:34-35) and what will draw the lost to accept Jesus as their savior for it declares that Jesus came to die, be buried, and conquer death through His resurrection (John 12:32).  I therefore urge everyone reading this that is a believer in Jesus as their savior to put aside their petty theological differences and unite in bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a divisive world in need of a Savior. 

If you are reading this and have not made Jesus your Savior, I encourage you to pray with me,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

Next Wednesday I will be letting my readers know about an event coming in June where many churches across the globe will have an opportunity to unite in sharing the good news of the Gospel with the lost in their communities. 

1. Weeks, Linton. Why It's Good To Be The Incumbent. www.npr.org. [Online] NPR, June 11, 2012. [Cited: May 13, 2017.] http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2012/06/11/154745966/why-its-good-to-be-the-incumbent.

2. Pruitt, Sarah. 7 Most Contentious U.S. Presidential Elections. www.history.com. [Online] History, April 26, 2016. [Cited: May 13, 2017.] http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/7-most-contentious-u-s-presidential-elections.

3. Clement, Joel Achenbach and Scott. America really is more divided than ever. www.washingtonpost.com. [Online] The Washington Post, July 16, 2016. [Cited: May 13, 2017.] https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/america-really-is-more-divided-than-ever/2016/07/17/fbfebee6-49d8-11e6-90a8-fb84201e0645_story.html?utm_term=.9bd77887c8c0.

4. Lawrence, William B. The most divisive element in American church life is no longer racism; it's homosexuality. www.dallasnews.com. [Online] Dallas News. [Cited: May 13, 2017.] https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2016/11/22/divisive-element-american-church-life-longer-racism-homosexuality.

5. Williams, Bob. A History of Church Divisions. www.biblelessons.com. [Online] Biblelessons.com. [Cited: May 13, 2017.] http://www.biblelessons.com/church.html.

6. Raymond, Erik. WHO IS THE MOST DANGEROUS GUY AT YOUR CHURCH? blogs.thegospelcoalition.org. [Online] The Gospel Coalition, August 5, 2015. [Cited: May 13, 2017.] https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/erikraymond/2015/08/05/who-is-the-most-dangerous-guy-at-your-church/.