Wayne Weekly “State of the Union”

Many of us watched or listened to the president’s State of the Union address. Whether you appreciate the current administration or not, you have to concede that much has been accomplished this past year in Washington.

I suppose we could transliterate “state of the union” as “condition of unity”. Unity can often be a welcomed word. We liken the word unity to peace, friendly cohesion, strength, and agreement. The Church of Jesus Christ is to be unified in allegiance to God, in purpose, and in “love of the brethren”. True believers are to strive to “dwell together in unity”.

Denominational distinctives do disconnect the body of Christ, to a degree. Differences in modes of water baptism, infant baptism, the first century “sign” gifts of the Holy Spirit, communion, eschatology, and other doctrinal distinctives in the genuine church. These issues have divided the assembly for many years, and will continue to do so. However, Christians (in the biblical sense) are people born into the family of God. Someday we’ll have perfect understanding and therefore unity in theology. When we see our Savior face to face, we shall be like him, in one sense, that we will know perfect truth.

In this day when our battles grow more pronounced and more public, the unity of the believer is something to desire more than ever. You’ve heard the cliché, “there is strength in unity”. So true. Jesus said “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”

“If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”    Mark 3:25

We are not to compromise the essentials of the faith, but doctrinal distinctives should not be divisive in the household of faith.

“…How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”

Psalm 133:1