Some how the enemy has succeeded in dividing us. What method did he use to cause this division? Selfish desires and sadly the church is not immune to his wiles. The, “Everyone must go along with what I want or else,” attitude has divided the body until the world looks at us with disgust.
How far we have come from the Acts 4:13 believers…”When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.” I am NOT at all devaluing theological education (I am a product of some great teaching) but sometimes believers rely more on what they learned from a commentary or a class, on Twitter, or a political rally instead of being with Jesus. But when we spend time with Jesus, we will hear His words, be invited to follow His commands, and are joined with Him in the battle with boldness. Some of Jesus’ last recorded prayers were for us to be one…with Him…with the Father…and with each other. (John 17:20-21) When we are united in this way…the world will KNOW that Jesus was sent from God.
Perhaps the division in our country can be directly related to the division in the church- which was to be the light in the darkness. We dropped the ball the minute we looked to ourselves or church leaders for the answers. We dropped the ball the minute our personal preferences became more important than God’s will. We dropped the ball when we blindly looked to our pastors’ opinions rather than God’s Word. BUT it is not too late. We can repent of our selfishness, open our eyes anew, and join God in the work that He is doing to set people free.
On this Independence Day weekend, seek the freedom that only God can provide and become one with Him. Then perhaps the world will know you, too, have been with Jesus.
