By Rae Lynn DeAngelis
Happy 250th Birthday, America!!
“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 Corinthians 1:10).
All over this blessed union, men, women, and children congregate on the weekend to offer up praise and worship to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Some gather in megachurches, while an even greater number gather in small assemblies. Everywhere you look, this great nation is dotted with true believers.
I’ve had the privilege of attending many different worship centers throughout my lifetime, and one thing has become increasingly clear: God is much more concerned with the name written on our hearts than the name on our buildings.
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6).
We are supposed to be the United States of America, but far too often, divided more accurately describes us—especially in the church. This country was founded and established on Christian values and principles, and everyday life once reflected this reality. But now, secular principles and practices dominate our culture.
How did we get here?
It’s not because we have fewer Christians in our country. It’s because Christians are less united in our country. We have separated ourselves into our own little buildings, denominations, and beliefs. As a result, Christians have lost their voice as a whole.
It doesn’t matter where each participant attends worship. What matters is that we share a common bond as believers in Christ. As followers of Jesus, we are all part of God’s Church.
If we, as a whole, could come together in the name of Jesus Christ and put aside our petty differences, what a difference we could make in the world.
On the heels of our country’s 250th birthday celebration, let’s make a commitment to stand together, united in love and empowered by truth, knowing full well that one day we will be together in heaven, kneeling at the feet of Jesus, filled with inexplicable wonder and awe at His magnificent presence. We had better learn how to get along now because eternity is an awfully long time.
United we stand—divided we fall.
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God’” (Romans 14:11).
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20–21).
One Church. Under God. Indivisible. With liberty and justice for all.
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