NATION DIVIDED

By Pastors Walt and Sharron Scott

April 10, 2013

“Can’t we all just get along?” This is a quote from the late Rodney King which is a simple, meaningful statement, but difficult (if not impossible) for us to achieve. Or so it seems. Divisiveness seems to have become more and more a way of life for us in this country. It has the potential to lead us to be a nation and people so determined to have our own way, that we neglect or abandon the national interest for our own; never leaving any room for compromise or agreement to disagree and move on. We are a divided nation. This is what Jesus Christ said about it in the Bible, Luke 11:17:

“Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined and a house divided against itself will fall”. Mark 3:24 repeats this. However, all is not lost; we can change this.

Political parties, pacts, lobbyists, denominationalism, organizations, information mediums, clubs, comfort zones, socio-economic groups and so on, all are designed to separate and divide people into groups with similar ideas, beliefs or philosophies. They all have agendas. We have all heard the phrase “divide and conquer”, and also “united we stand, divided we fall”. Division is the enemy’s weapon, whether natural or supernatural. We prefer unity over divisiveness.

As our pledge of allegiance to the flag states, we are “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”. We are one people, one nation, and we all share the benefits, opportunities and protection this nation offers as insured by our armed services. This should never be subject to status or any ethnic or socio-economic condition. There may not be equality of opportunity in the natural world which we all experience with our five senses daily. There is, however, equality of opportunity in our access to God the Father through His son, Jesus Christ. And this opportunity supersedes all others.

Matthew 19:26—With man this impossible, but with God, all things are possible. Mark 9:23-- Everything is possible for him who believes.

We are a country founded on democracy—a government by the people and of majority rule. We are to support the leaders chosen by the majority. This nation’s progress and ultimate survival depend upon that. And the example we show the world is more important than any one person or group of persons. Exercise your opinion at the voting booth, and then support and pray for the victor. This is how mature adults act.

This is what the Bible states in Romans 13:1-7: 

Submission to Governing Authorities 

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ² Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. ⁴ For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. ⁵ Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. ⁶ This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷ Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

We know this is a country that guarantees freedom of speech. However, we should realize that negative opinions-- when voiced—tear down, divide, and foster resentment. Positive opinions—when voiced—build up, promote and unite. There are always consequences for what we say or do, good and bad. It would be refreshing if opinions were not given unless asked for, and then only to the one asking. Put God and country first, before self.

Luke 6:42 & 45:

⁴² How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

⁴⁵ A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Christ Jesus calls us all to forgive and love. The decision to forgive is more for the offended than the offender. Love is for all. We all need to seek relationship with God and fellowship with each other. Learn to trust God and believe what He did for us through His son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit he sent at Pentecost to live as counselor in all believers. Faith is a verb. Have faith and live it!

Jeremiah 29:11-13

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Also refer to Acts 17:24-28 and Galatians 6:1-10.