State of The Union

"The state of the Union is strong!"  At least according to our President.  But when I look at the disunity of our society, it is hard to imagine how our Union could be strong.  The "melting pot" of American Unity seems clearly to have been replaced with separate bowls of Black Americans, Latio Americans, Asian Americans, White Amerians, et. al., each with their disparate expectations and ideologies.  It seems more true to say that the state of the disunity is strong and the division seems to be growing stronger.

Lest we as Christians feel too smug, the state of our union fares no better.  It could be easily argued that it is far worse.  Paul left Titus in Crete to "put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town" (Titus 1:5), not to establish dozens of competing churches.  The intent was to have one church, under one eldership, meeting in multiple homes in each city.

Long before the end of the first century, however, the union began to break down as Christians began to clamor, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas ”; still another, “I follow Christ" (1 Cor 1:12).  Over the centuries, this division has resulted in thousands of different Christian groups, each certain the alone have the "real" truth.

Today, while there is some efforts made to reach across denominational lines, the distrust and the disunity continue as evidenced by the fact that a city like Hot Springs, AR of less than 40,000 can have more than 150 churches at a time when nearly 75% of the citizens don't even attend church.  Of course, the disunity may help to explain why so many don't.

Jesus said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (Jn 13:35).  Wouldn't it stand true that they will equally know we are not Christians if we don't love each other?  While we tend to think that disunity is a product of a lack of knowledge - "If only they could see the truth like we do..."

But, I believe that the disunity and the disfavor of the church is due to a lack of love, for "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing" (1 Cor 13:2).  Yeah, it's like that.  Jus' Say'n.