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At VFNKB we are all about unity, Christ-centered unity! The nation of North America is called the United States! Even our money in America says, E Pluribus Unum, out of many, one. United we stand, divided we fall. If you think about the Moravians, who were really responsible for the awakening that helped bring America to pass said, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things love.” U.S. Congressman Trey Gowdy and Senator Tim Scott author the book Unified: How Our Unlikely Friendship Gives Us Hope for a Divided Country, and they challenge us to be united in the Church and America. This is an amazing truth that we need to hear!
We join Congressman Gowdy as he allows us to ease drop on a conversation he has with himself while talking at Second Baptist Woodway Church. “Are you a believer who happens to be interested in the political process? Or are you a republican or democrat who happens to attend church? Are you a believer who happens to want to be civically engaged…what is the source of your identity?” He continues to speak about a man who was considered controversial, G.K. Chesterton, and quotes him, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” Congressman Gowdy continues talking about how Christianity is counter-intuitive and that it is hard. “But if you want to see the kind of unity that Senator Scott and I want to see, then the change will come from you, it will not come from your elected officials, it will not come from Washington, D.C.” He states that he is not bashing anyone since he is leaving Washington, D.C. but he is making a point that change starts with you! “Politics reflects, it does not lead…if you want a model for unity, then you need to find someone who broke every barrier you can imagine.” Congressman Gowdy points out that Jesus broke down many barriers, gender barriers, as women were some of the first to recognize who Jesus is and to see Him first after He rose again. He broke racial barriers, social, economic barriers, every barrier you could think of Jesus broke down! “Do I want to live in a society where we don’t immediately rush to what we don’t have in common…most of us want most of the same things…at least start with the fact that we want the same things.” Congressman Gowdy goes on with the fact that we almost always start conversations with what we have in common. “There are lots of things we can talk about that are not divisive…you can have those complicated conversations after you have a relationship with someone.”
Congressman Gowdy continues the conversation, “Do we want to live in a less divisive country…if we do who is going to lead that movement and how is it going to be led? It will be led by the Church, and it has been modeled for you by the best barrier breaker who ever lived and the best bridge builder who ever lived…He, Jesus, bridged the chasm between you and God, He bridges the chasm between death and life, He bridged the chasm between the temporal and the eternal…you only need a bridge if you are willing to talk and interact to someone who is not exactly like you.” He says again that Christianity is hard. If you remember the tragic shooting that took place at a church, Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., believers were at a meeting studying the Word of God. A stranger, Dylann Roof, came to the meeting and they welcomed him. They talked to him, prayed with him, prayed for him, and then this man killed nine of our brothers and sisters because they were African American. He was trying to start a race war. What the family members did after this tragedy was amazing, they looked this man in the eye as he was arraigned, and said I forgive you. We hear from these amazing people as they state their forgiveness and it is emotional and moving. Congressman Gowdy continues, “When I say Christianity is hard, I could not do what they did…I could not, and I would not. But they did because their faith was the most important thing in their lives. So, what is your identity? Is it a spiritual identity, a political identity, a geographical identity? I think if we are going to have the community, state, the country that we want to have, it will not come from a political platform; it will not come from a series of political beliefs, it will come from you living out what are very difficult commandments to live out. And for you to trust God who does not do things in an unconventional way…unity is biblical.” He shares, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Congressman Gowdy continues, “I think if Jesus were here He would say, ‘No black, no white, no brown, no Republican, no Independent, no Libertarian, and no Democrat.’ If He were here, I think that is what He would tell us. That He alone is sufficient…If you want to change even your own family…or you want to change something as large and as important as your country, politics hasn’t worked, sports won’t work, geography won’t work. Living an authentic consistent life reflective of the teachings of Christ is what will work.”
This is a now word for America! We must pray for those that have spoken evil against us and cry out for unity in the Church and America. This is what God wants for us, to be unified! “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” Psalm 133:1 God loves everyone and longs for everyone to live in unity. When you see people through God’s eyes, then you can begin to think about things differently. We must unify under love and at VFNKB that is what we aim for, visit Civil Christianity to find out more! We want to hear from you, you can write to us at [email protected]. Make sure to watch or listen to hear the full conversation. Greg and John shared in this segment.
Courtesy of storyblocks.com
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