The Great Divide
‘Time in the Word’ By Clayton Adams Americans have a history of correcting injustices with laws. In the effort to heal the great divide that exists between groups of people, laws are made to change behavior. But our hearts determine our behavior and without changing the heart long term behavior cannot change.
God changes the heart and calls us to higher conduct, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18).
Christians have not been good at the “ministry of reconciliation.”
Politicians (republican, democrat and independent) create vast and powerful empires based on keeping and expanding the great divide. Our churches are the most segregated institutions we have and we read the same Holy Bible, how can this be? Reconciliation is not easy but we are called to reconcile with others as He reconciled us with God.
Some people resist looking back and confronting the unjust treatment of blacks by the white culture.
Other people look back and dwell on the unjust treatment of past years. Both groups see only what they want to see and neither group is willing to consider the others’ point of view. It’s a “we” versus “them” mentality and it is killing our great nation. Whites will not ask for forgiveness and blacks will not offer forgiveness. Both are wrong.
Author Beverly Daniel Tatum, PhD., wrote of the great divide in her national bestselling book, “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” An excellent and thought provoking look at how the great divide is propagated from one generation to the next generation. Racism is a learned behavior at a young age. Racism exists in the white and black folks.
Christians must use Scripture as our standard of living, and how to treat others and to right the wrongs.
Christians must know and understand that in the eyes of God we all stand equal as sinners and Christ died for all people to be set free, we read, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
“For there is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:11). “The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the maker of them all” (Proverbs 22:2).
“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34).
Jesus summarized how we should live, “In everything, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
The great divide did not start with us, but we do make it smaller or larger by our choices. The old adage, “Seek to understand then to be understood” is a good guide but the best method to overcome the great divide is to follow Jesus’ command, “You should love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
The apostle Peter overcame his great divide through love, he wrote, “The end of a things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:7-8).
We are a nation with a multitude of sin but thankfully love conquers all our sin.
Clayton Adams has a message of faith he would like to share with the community. He would also like to hear from you. E-mail him at claytonpadamslll@gmail.com.
