Division or unity? As evidenced by the recent U.S. election, our culture is deeply divided. Political differences can divide families, neighborhoods and communities. Division is hard. It is uncomfortable. At it’s worst, hateful rhetoric shuts down any expression of opposing ideas instead of allowing for reasonable debate. People are often pitted against each other according to their ethnicity, religion, or educational background. The discomfort that arises causes many to retreat into their own segments of society and avoid the conflict as much as possible. People are reluctant to talk about what they believe for fear of offending someone. And the chasms continue to widen.
It’s not diversity that brings division. Things like selfishness, greed, and pride are what breed the division. At the heart, division is over truth. When “truth” becomes relative–your truth and my truth–eventually, no one can agree on anything.
God created diversity. Just as no two snowflakes are exactly alike, human beings are unique. God created each of us to have different gifts and strengths. We grow up in different families, come from different backgrounds, and have different likes and dislikes. Together, the differences bring a richness to our world.
True unity is found in God Himself. The real dividing line throughout history is over God, His word, and His ways. His word is truth, and from the beginning of time people have experienced either division or unity because of it. Either God is in control and has all authority or He does not. The only two camps of people are those who honor God and His rightful place and those who do not. When a person believes God rules, and has the authority to do so, it brings humility to the one seeking Him and His ways. When God reigns over human hearts, everything else falls into its rightful place.
God created a people, rich in diversity, to make up His kingdom, and live in eternal relationship with Him. Sin broke the relationship. The broken-ness in our world has led to division over our differences, instead of appreciation for them. When governments or individuals forget God’s laws, chaos ensues. But God, in His love for us, made a way for humanity to return to Him through Christ. Christ took on Himself the punishment for our sin–for our selfishness, our pride, and our stubbornness. When we realize our guilt for those things, and turn to Him, it changes everything. Knowing Christ brings us into God’s family, and by His Spirit we are enabled to become more like Christ. None of us is naturally patient or humble. It is our life in Christ that develops those traits within us. The fruit of His Spirit is love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, patience and self control. Living out those things affects all our human relationships.
Totalitarian governments try to force a kind of uniformity, but that is not unity. Unity isn’t imposed from the outside, it bubbles up from within. When diverse people all love God, it is evident in their interactions with each other.
In Christ we find unity. In Him, we find a bond of peace. We can have diversity without division. We can disagree without being disagreeable.
Healing the division in our nation and in our world begins with healing the division in our families. We cannot control how others think or act. But as we individually seek God, and promote His ways in our own families, it affects the corner of the world where we live. As we point others to Christ and His ways, some will want to know Him too.
In God’s eternal kingdom, people from every tribe and nation will worship Him and live in harmony. God made us unique individuals on purpose. Perhaps He created us with so many differences so we would have to learn to get along. Perhaps He created us so different so we could see the miracle of unity in Him.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32
How have you experienced division or unity in your relationships? Please leave a comment below.
Blessings,
Phyllis
Copyright 2024 Phyllis L. Farringer
Image by Manfred Antranias Zimmer from Pixabay
I believe wokeness impacts unity also.,
Very good post, my dear sister.
Thank you, George.
Thank you for your thoughts, Phyllis. I’m praying for everyone. And I’m praying that Christians show WHOSE they are by showing love and care for everyone.
Amen, Joni. Thank you.