Divided We Stand

When we look back at the beginning of the Church at Pentecost, we see a Church that is empowered by the Holy Spirit and motivated by their personal witness of the death, burial and then the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

However, it was only a short time before divisions crept into the Church.  Some of the Epistles, which are letters to the early Churches, were written to address these conflicts.  

Today, some people believe that these divisions are good as it has been through conflict that our present doctrines understandings, our rich traditions and global denominations have been formulated.  However, this is not true.  Jesus didn't pray that we have rich traditions, well-formulated doctrines or historical denominations.

Jesus prayed that we would not be divided but that we would be as one, "So that the world may believe".  In the Gospel of John, just after sharing His last supper with his disciples Jesus turned his eyes towards heaven and prayed,

 “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.  I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. (John 17:21-23)

“United we stand, divided we fall” is a saying that has been part of the American culture since the time of the American Revolution.   During our Civil War, it became a rallying cry for the Union troops.  During times of crisis such as during the second world war and after 9/11, unity was not simply a rallying cry but could be felt and experienced as American’s came together for a greater purpose than their ideological and sometimes petty differences.  Unity was thought to be of greater importance than political aspirations, regional interest or local issues.

It should also be true in the Church. The Apostle Paul understood this well.  He wrote to the Philippians, “Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose," (Phil. 2:2). He wrote also to the Corinthians, “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. (1 Cor 1:10)”

Unfortunately today, there are many that believe the opposite.  It's almost like they are shouting, "Divided We Stand!"  Sects, divisions and denominations have been part of the Church for a long time.  In the United States however, because of our 1st Amendment rights and our respect for the diversity of our faiths, denominationalism has had a field day.  

Historically the Church had defined unity through what is referred to as orthodoxy.  The word Orthodoxy is derived from two Greek words, “orthos” meaning “right” or “straight”; and ‘doxa’ meaning a “belief” or “opinion”.  So in other words, the early Church defined unity as being aligned or unity with those of the right belief.

In 325 AD, the Church met together at the Council of Nicaea.  It was this council that produced the “Nicene Creed” that determined orthodoxy or unity in the Church for over 700 years until the Roman (or Latin, western) Church split from the Orthodox (or Greek, eastern) Church in 1054 AD. 

While the Nicene Creed may have defined orthodoxy for the ecclesiastical church, it didn’t define how a person becomes a Christian.  The Bible is clear that becoming a Christian is not about joining a church or believing all the right stuff or conforming to the doctrinal views of a denomination but repenting from sin and believing in Jesus Christ. 

Paul gives us the methodology in Roman’s 10:9 which, along with a number of other teachings in the Bible, gives us our understanding of salvation.  In our Churches we often urge people to come forward, ‘accept’ Christ and be converted by believing in Jesus’ resurrection with their heart and confessing with their mouth that Jesus is Lord. It is however, not these actions that ‘saves’ anyone. The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:8 was clear that salvation is by grace through faith.  It is a gift from God and not a result of a formula however the formula or method is very helpful in people taking that first step of faith and repentance.

Unfortunately all too often the leaders of the Church define unity not on primary orthodoxy or a belief in the Biblical Jesus but through conformity to doctrinal and denominational statements regarding not only beliefs or doctrine but also behavior and performance. While true Christians serve the one and only God and know Jesus in a personal and intimate way and have been redeemed by God, some self-appointed watchdogs of heresy and various denominations define unity in the church as adherence and conformity to what many would consider to be non-essentials.

As a result, the Christian Church is divided and weak.  Instead of focusing our energy and mission on advancing the Kingdom of God and fulfilling the great commission to go and make disciples, we fight each other. 

America, the once popular and vibrant home of Biblical principles, evangelical missions and the sponsor of compassion worldwide has become weak, fragmented and antagonistic towards the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Christians are looked at as petty, narrow minded and judgmental and it’s no wonder.  Often the way we treat each other can be summed up in those same words.   We can be petty; we find minor doctrinal differences and split out churches based on 16th century arguments.  We can be narrow-minded; we find on Sundays our churches continue to be segregated between black and white and many churches don’t allow women to assume leadership or be given appropriate titles while at the same time knowing that women leaders have served for centuries in all capacities of the Church. We can be judgmental; Jesus said we were not to judge in a manner that is self-righteous, hypercritical, and destructive. 

The ‘perfect unity’ that Jesus prayed for in John 17 will not come as a result of the ascendancy of one denomination or spiritual leader.  It will not come as a result of everyone agreeing on a particular liturgy or translation of the Bible.  It will come about when we realize that when we are in Christ we are brother and sisters of all others who are in Christ.   

Our spiritual journey and cultural differences will adjust, change and appear to be more or less obvious but our spiritual destination is and will always remain the same.

The Meaning of “Advent”

Advent started this year very neatly on December 1^st.  By definition, Advent is an arrival or an appearance.  The theme of Advent in the Church has historically been readings and teachings that help prepare us for the Second Coming while commemorating the First Coming of Christ at Christmas.  

Advent was not a season of buying or festive songs and decorations but a season of preparation through prayer, study and fasting

It is interesting for us to look back at the scriptures that foretold the coming of the Messiah.  In particular, I’ve always liked:

Gen 49:10

The scepter will not depart from Judah

or the staff from between his feet

until He whose right it is comes

and the obedience of the peoples belongs to Him.

The wise men were told it was Bethlehem that was where they should go:

"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity." (Micah 5:2)

Look also at  Isaiah 9:6

For a child will be born for us,

a son will be given to us,

and the government will be on His shoulders.

He will be named

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

What is interesting about these prophecies is that they often immediately include the second coming as the very next verse in Isaiah 9 (verse 7) reads:

The dominion will be vast,

and its prosperity will never end.

He will reign on the throne of David

and over his kingdom,

to establish and sustain it

with justice and righteousness from now on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.

This is why the Jews were all so excited that Jesus may be the Messiah. If you remember, they were all looking for a Messiah.  The holy man, Simeon, was promised that he would see the Messiah before he died and the prophetess Anna rejoiced and prophesied over the Christ Child (Luke 2:36-38)

We should take this season of Advent seriously as the early Church did beginning in the 4^th Century.  They were well aware that only half of the scriptures regarding the Messiah were fulfilled.  The others are associated with His second coming.  This is exactly why the Jews were so excited when they saw Jesus coming into Jerusalem on a colt, the fold of a donkey. They knew that the Prophet Zachariah had prophesied the Messiah would come into Jerusalem this way.  They shouted Hosanna likely not because he was on a donkey (verse 9) but because of the very next verse (Zachariah 9:10)

I will take away the chariots from Ephraim

and the warhorses from Jerusalem,

and the battle bow will be broken.

He will proclaim peace to the nations.

His rule will extend from sea to sea

and from the River to the ends of the earth.

Jesus will return. That return is known as the Second Coming.  The disciplines of fasting, prayer and study will prepare us for His coming.

At this Christmas….Come quickly Lord Jesus!

One Church

Jesus prayed that we be ‘one’ but for almost 2,000 years the Christian Church has experienced divisions, splits, dissension and even heresy.

How can we possibly be ‘one Church’ when there is so much division?  Some churches have only male ministers while some allow females.  I’ve been in churches where their services last over two hours; in other churches, you can be out in thirty-five minutes. 

Some churches baptize babies, some only adults.   There are seven sacraments according to some but only two according to others. I actually know of one that counts thirteen!

Raising your hands for worship may be in vogue but in some churches it’s considered rude and inappropriate.   Music is likely one of the biggest differences and churches vary from having no instruments to having worship at 98 decibels.

While I could go on and list pages of differences there is still hope that we can be  “one”.   Deciding that we are One Church is still a choice despite what appears to be stark differences.    The choice is to look at our differences as interesting diversity within “One Church” rather than examples of different churches. 

Since 325 AD, the “One Church” has had a statement of faith, the Nicene Creed, as the litmus test of Christianity.  The thirty-five lines in the Creed are the essential beliefs that define what we can refer to as “orthodoxy”……not as the Greek or eastern branch of Christianity but in the true sense of the Greek word “orthos” meaning “right”  or “true”.

The Nicene Creed doesn’t mention the length of worship services, doesn’t mention the role of men or women.  The Nicene Creed doesn’t mention music at all and only has one word on baptism……not nearly enough to divide us.  The Nicene Creed is primarily about Jesus Christ, the Son of God and His role in the redemption of mankind.  We call this the gospel, the one thing that every Christian Church can agree on.

We can be “One Church” when we embrace the diversity within the church and rely on the “One Gospel” to bring unity.

Prayer - the antidote for worry

The Apostle Paul tells us about prayer and how to handle worry in his letter to the Philippians,

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Being anxious and worried may be common but it is also a common problem.  All worry is nonproductive; too much worry can be disabling and lead to panic attacks and other behavioral issues. Paul's encouragement is a simple antidote for worry.  This verse also tells us three important things we can learn about prayer.  

1. Prayer is an act of worship…that is why God is jealous of who we pray to.    Prayer connects us with a God who loves us, cares for us and is our present hope in our time of need.
2. Prayer calls upon the ‘omni’s of god”  They include
   a. God’s omniscience –God is all-knowing
   b. God’s omnipresence - God is all-present/all-seeing
   c. God’s omnipotence - God is all-powerful
   d. God’s omni-benevolence – God is good
3. Prayer provides peace.....it is the peace that passes understanding; it is the true answer in our time of need.

Giving Grace to the Humble

In Matthew 8:5-13 the story is told of Jesus and the Roman Centurion.  Both Matthew and Luke record the story.  This is how Matthew tells it:

5 When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, 6 “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”7 Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”8 But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 9 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”

We’ll stop this story at this point because we can already learn a lot from these few verses.

This Roman officer, a centurion in charge of one hundred Roman soldiers, comes and pleads with Jesus.   Think about this….this is a career military officer, a Roman, in charge of highly trained warriors that represent the conquering and occupying army and keep order in this northern region of Galilee.

The Romans are hated by the Jews; however Jesus, also a Jew, has no hate for this man.   This Roman humility is obvious as he not only pleads with Jesus but also asks Jesus for healing, not for himself but his servant, likely a household slave.  This humility moves Jesus.

In the book of Micah, one of the last books of the Old Testament and written about 700 years before this exchange between Jesus and the Roman officer answers the question of what God expects of us. 

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 ESV

Humility is not only a virtue but it is expected by God and the key to receiving grace and answered prayers.   James, the Lord’s brother, writes, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 ESV.  In other translations it says that God actually resists the proud. 

I don’t know about you but when I pray, when I ask the Creator of the universe to hear my petition I don’t want resistance.

Humility or the lack of it is always the result of a comparison.  We lack humility when we compare ourselves to others and feel superior. We are humble when we give honor to others. 

Humility should come easily when we compare ourselves to Jesus or the standards that are set for us in the Bible.  We fall short…way short of what is expected.  However, God embraces us with his love and grace when we are humble. When we are willing to submit to God’s plan, to His timing and His will for our lives, He hears our prayer and responds with compassion.