“UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL”
By Dennis Lee
A July 4th Message to the church
“United We Stand, Divided We Fall”
If we’re ever going to survive in this harsh world, we must band together, both physically and spiritually.
“United We Stand, Divided We Fall” was the motto from the American Revolution. Later, as America was being ripped apart by the slavery debate, Abraham Lincoln used this same prophetic statement, but quoted the original source, which was Jesus.
Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.” (Matthew 12:25)
What Jesus is saying is that any kingdom, even Satan’s, and any house divided in what it stands for will eventually fall, which would apply to families, businesses, and even the church.
If we think God will somehow bless us when we’re divided, then we really don’t realize just how much division grieves the heart of God. In fact, out of six things the Lord says He hates, those who cause division is number six (Proverbs 6:16-19). The reason why division grieves the heart of God, and why He hates it is because division undermines His work of grace.
It doesn’t matter how good or orthodox the doctrine might be, or how great the worship may be, unless division, strife, slander, and in-fighting are conquered, then it’s all in vain.
The Holy Spirit cannot bless where the Spirit of unity does not exist.
The unity of believers is a powerful testimony.
In His prayer Jesus said, “That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me … May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.” (John 17:21, 23)
Unity also allows God’s church to function as He intended, because it’s by such unity that God pours out His grace.
Look at the first church and how it grew and fulfilled its Great Commission when they were unified.
“All the believers were one in heart and mind … (and) with great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:32-33)
Dennis Lee is Senior Pastor at Living Waters Fellowship, Mesquite, Nevada. He presently has two books, “From Here to There: A Journey to Spiritual Transformation,” and “Wells of Living Waters,” He also writes a religious column for a local newspaper entitled, “Rediscover the Bible for Life,” along with daily devotionals and thoughts that he posts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Living Waters Fellowship’s Website
Feature Image by Wynn Pointaux from Pixabay
Reflecting on that word GRACE again – that unmerited continued favor that we should extend to others! Because of how our Heavenly Father has done for us and is constantly extending His grace to us! The church lacks great power and effectiveness because of the gossip of men & women in the church.
It’s kind of sad because we are not of one heart and one mind, so we cannot be as effective as the Father desires us to be!
Hey Michael! You are so correct in that gossip, among other things, keeps the church ineffective in our communities. However, I believe that as we look at those who are God’s church of true believers we will find no gossip, etc. These are the men and women of God that we need to search for and find, and be encouraged by. Reach down and pull those newer believers up with you and be encouraged and pulled up by those believers who have run the race longer than you. satan will always use gossip etc. to hinder God’s purpose. If we keep our eyes and minds on Him those people will not bother us for we have too many more important things than focusing on them. Instead be an encourager! Be the fragrance of God! Scripture tells us, “He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip.” Proverbs 20:19 Thanks for sharing your heart, brother! God Bless!
Hey Mike, yes, it is about living in God’s grace, and it is sad to see that grace taken for granted, and how the church has been so hurt by the divisiveness brought about by gossip. Thanks and have a great day my friend.
Unity of believers absolutely is a powerful testimony. Upon having read the passage of scripture in John 17 in his prayers for all of us, I am reminded that 3 times, he used the phrase, “that the world may believe that You have sent me” when praying for our unity. That is such a powerful testimony of just how critical unity in the church is to our witness of Jesus to those who don’t yet believe.
Thank you Debbie. It is our unity that reveals our love, and it is in our love that they will know that we are believers. Take care and God bless