The Divided States of America

Our nation was birthed in rebellion against taxation without representation, which left no other option for the colonists except to sever the relationship with their mother country.  This is part of our history, and we hold it in high regard along with the products of that rebellion which include the Declaration of Independence, our U.S. Constitution and it’s first ten amendments known as our Bill of Rights.  These documents have served us well over the years by providing the framework of our governance.  These documents have been tested over the years, including their most severe test when our nation first divided and then reunited during the two terms of President Lincoln and the accompanying Civil War.  Looking back at that time we realize how perilously close we came to permanently dividing the United States.

The time of the Civil War not only serves as an example of our nation being divided, but more importantly it serves as an example of how people of faith can hold opposite views of political and social issues while having a common faith.  President Lincoln was keenly aware of this divided view in the people of faith and addressed his concern in his second inaugural address as follows in part:

“Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other.  It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God’s assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men’s faces; but let us judge not lest we be judged.  The prayers of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully.  The Almighty has His own purposes.”

In President Lincoln’s own words, he states that this divide in the people of faith “seemed strange” and he refrains from passing personal judgement lest he put himself in danger of being judged by God.  Wise counsel given the fact that he is referring to a teaching of Christ directly (Mathew 7:1,2).  Additionally, Lincoln noted that it was impossible for the prayers of both sides to be answered, at least in full, because for each side the heart of the issue was completely opposed to the other.  One was for slavery; the other was against. Attempted compromises were rejected.  Lincoln’s final thought on that matter was that God will use this divide in the people of faith to achieve “His own purpose.”   That is, God would use this inability of the people of faith to compromise to achieve whatever divine purpose He had in mind for the people of faith and the entire nation. In other words, God will accomplish His good will in the nation regardless of the cooperation of the people of faith or not. The problem is that the people of faith may completely miss what God is trying to do with the circumstance because they are so dug into their own point of view, they cannot see any other way but their own.  

I find the current times have an eerie feeling similar to that of Lincoln’s days regarding the people of faith in our nation. People of similar faiths can view the same political and/or social issue and see them in completely opposite ways. Some people of faith are for abortion rights; some are totally against them. Some people of faith are for gun control; some are for no gun restrictions at all. Some people of faith are for vaccine mandates; some are against them. Each will defend his view based on his interpretation of scripture. Each will invoke God’s support in furthering his view of current events in the nation. Similar to Lincoln’s circumstance it seems that God cannot answer both sides of the issue completely, because each side represents the complete opposite and opposing positions to the other. Also like the days of Lincoln, there seems to be no compromising. Each side is so dug into its own point of view that there is no ability to see things differently. Also, like Lincoln’s time violence is escalating in our nation to the point that one in three of us now believe it is justified to take violence against the U.S. government.

But there is a paradox in this dilemma with the people of faith. That is, while our different views of faith are causing the divide, I believe the remedy for the divide can be found in our faith. The remedy for healing of any divide does not come from the doctrines of our faith, but from the experience of our faith. Doctrinal arguments hardly ever change minds and hearts. Only God’s presence can do that. The answer is not found in the people of faith coming together to reason through our differences. The answer is found in the people of faith coming together and experiencing the presence and the life changing power of God together. Why does this make a difference? Because when God shows up, we are humbled in His presence. When He shows up, we are emptied of all pride. When He shows up, new revelation is imparted to our hearts and minds. When He shows up, all fear is removed, all anger is dissipated, and peace reigns and rules our hearts. It is only when the people of faith are positioned to receive their faith in God in this fashion that we can really experience our faith as God intends each of us to do. Once we arrive at that place, watch what can be accomplished through a united people of faith! I believe that is the first step away from a divided state of America, to a truly United States of America. It requires the people of faith to lead the way!