It seems to me that Jesus wants us to be united, not necessarily politically but in our love for Him, for the Father and for each other. “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in
Me through their word; that they may all be one, just as you,
Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe
that you have sent me."
(John 17:20-21)
(John 17:20-21)
We are far from united. We are in an ugly,
escalating war of words with each other.
Jesus said, “…every
kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided
against itself will stand.” ( Matthew 12:25)
There has been division between Christians for centuries, but it certainly looks like the current political warfare is widening the division among us, and among
all the people of this nation. It's unanimous that this is the nastiest presidential campaign in
recent history. There is so little
attention given to the very serious issues facing our country and the world, and
so much effort, on both sides, to destroy the other candidate’s
reputation. There have been threats to
imprison the other candidate and thinly disguised suggestions that the opposing
candidate could be permanently eliminated. What is this country coming to?
And it seems to me that instead of demanding that the
candidates focus on the issues, the citizenry is jumping on the “destroy the
other guy” bandwagon and spreading whatever dirt they can dig up on
the candidate they are opposed to, with little effort to discern whether or not
it’s based on truth.
“For God did not send his Son into the world
to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17)
Jesus did not condemn individuals. Even though He was the Messiah promised to the House of Israel, He recognized all people who turned to him in faith; and He declared, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” (John 10:16).
How can we hear His voice if we’re all shouting at each other?
Jesus did not condemn individuals. Even though He was the Messiah promised to the House of Israel, He recognized all people who turned to him in faith; and He declared, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” (John 10:16).
How can we hear His voice if we’re all shouting at each other?