“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.  And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.  I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will 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 15:17-21)

I wonder if demons have parties.  I don’t know, but I think a lot of Christians are giving hell some reasons to celebrate.  There have been denominational differences and doctrinal disagreements for a long time.  There are some who think that a basis for unity in the Cross of Christ could not exist because anyone who does not subscribe to their particular dogma is not (or could not be) saved. 

I think it interesting that what seemed to be a conflict surrounding the current president of the United States between believers, followers of Jesus, and unbelievers, those who make their intellects and the things of this world their gods, now has drifted into the realm of setting Christians against each other.  I’m not at all surprised, though, because I think satan would use any tool, any situation at hand to destroy the work of Christ by contradicting His prayer that we would all be “one”.

Jesus said, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”  You would think that all Bible-believing Christians would be in agreement about truth; yet, for centuries people have developed or held onto pet doctrines that are “proof-texted” into a sort of exclusiveness that shuts out anyone who doesn’t agree with their particular “but the Bible says…” stance.  In fact, I’m sure sanctification through the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word is not intended to set us apart from other Christians; but the fact that we are set apart from the world is confirmed by the words of Jesus:

“If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19)

Considering the fact that satan used scripture during Jesus’ encounter with him in the wilderness should give us a clue that not every time someone quotes a Bible verse is it divinely inspired.  In fact, without the quickening of the Holy Spirit, the use of scripture can take on the stench of death:

“…Not that we sufficient in our selves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit.  For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Corinthians 3:5-6)

However, with the Holy Spirit actively (in contrast to passively – a condition entirely up to us) filling our lives, we have this assurance:

“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.  He will glorify me, for He will take what is mine and declare it to you.  All that the Father has is mine; therefore, I said that He will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:13-15)

[Just a side note here: I’ve had people speak verses to me or have read a verse that sparked an awesome “this was a God moment!” reaction.  It is so precious when the Holy Spirit, who knows us intimately, works that way! “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” Proverbs 25:11]

So, I have an opinion about the conflict tearing apart not only our nation, but also Christians.  I’m not going to share my opinion, but I will share some scriptures that influence what I believe:

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature…for the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’” (1 Samuel 16:7)

“Therefore, you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges.  For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.” (Romans 2:1)

And lest we try to convince ourselves otherwise: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)

“Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:4)

“He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:10-14)

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm 139:13-16)

The apostle John records an incident (John 8:3-11) where a group of religious people brought to Jesus a woman caught in the act of adultery.  The law demanded her death; the Savior offered her forgiveness.  As I read this story, I recognize two familiar attitudes that often characterize Christians:

• Broken People, standing, head bowed, and eyes averted, before Jesus, acknowledging just how deserving they are of punishment and death, yet eagerly receiving the grace and forgiveness of a compassionate Savior.
• Stone-Throwers, standing before Jesus, heart calloused, eyes challenging, content with their own righteousness and quick to render their judgment of others, particularly of the Broken People.

I’ve been both.  I am still inclined to be a stone-thrower now and then; but having fallen from self-righteousness into grace because of the proclivity of my human nature to sin, I am more frequently inclined to extend that same grace to others.

These verses are the theme of my life:

“When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7)

Here are another couple of familiar texts that are relevant to the political and spiritual conflict besieging our country (and many others):

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” (Romans 13:1-2)

It is very easy to quote this verse with confidence when the governing authorities are ones that we have voted for.  However, when someone is elected who defies God and His definitions of righteousness, justice, and truth, it is in those times that, by faith, we acknowledge His ways and His thoughts are much grander than our own very limited perspectives.  …and He has a powerful way of causing everything that the enemy intends for evil to turn out for the good of His kingdom and glory—and for His children!

Also…

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

We have different backgrounds, different journeys, different perspectives, yet there is one thing that should unite all Christians and quiet our conflicts—the gospel of Jesus Christ.  “…that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4), and He will return again one day to take us home to be with Him (John 14:1-3)!