Did you watch the news regarding the national political conventions? What a mess! The RNC is not unified. How else do you explain Ohio’s governor Kasich turning his back on the convention that was held in his very own state? How else do you explain Senator Cruz giving a speech and not endorsing the nominee?

How about the DNC? While this article was written before the conclusion of the DNC convention, the convention certainly began with controversy as news of DNC chairwoman, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, came to light over her anti-Bernie Sanders emails.

In all likelihood, the political party that comes together in unity will be the party that will have their candidate in the Whitehouse the next four years. The political party that continues to argue and fight will be the party that finds itself on the outside looking in.

The candidate that is able to unite the most voters will be the candidate in the Whitehouse. The candidate that cannot unite the majority of the voters will soon be forgotten as a contender for president.

The problem of bickering and fighting within the political parties does not come from dirty politics as much as it comes as the result of a society that is less and less desirous of working together to solve our problems. The culture has become anti-unified.

This was demonstrated on 9/11. Do you remember how quickly our country unified when the attacks occurred? Politics were set aside. Political opponents joined together in prayer and people flooded the churches. For a brief day or two we were united. We stood as one: one country. But it didn’t last. It only took a few days before both political parties blamed the other. And they have been fighting worse and worse ever since. Everyone wants to blame someone else. Are we seeing the climax of the problem or the beginning of a disastrous storm?

As the Church, we have an enemy. He is not political. He is the devil. 1 Peter warns that he wants to destroy us.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8

Have you watched how a lion catches its prey? It separates the prey from the rest of its kind. If there is a herd of animals, the lion works to get the herd in a frenzy and when the herd divides, the lion continues to work on separating them until one animal is by itself. That is when the lion has the advantage: when the prey is separated from the herd; when the animal is at its weakest without the majority. Division is a major battle tactic whether an animal, a country, a family, or the church.

Please understand. We do not have a division problem here at Rousculp. Actually, things are really going great right now, but that is a perfect reason to remind us to beware. We must guard ourselves against divisions. Peter writes encouraging words of unity in 1 Peter 3:8.

8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.

– 1 Peter 3:8

In his letter to the Romans, Paul reminds them against division.

16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

– Romans 12:16

Ephesians 4:3 tell us to strive for unity.

3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

– Ephesians 4:3

Temptation is not strongest when troubles and worries are upon us. We are closest to God when we hurt and when we are weak. That is when we most often call upon God. That is when we are the strongest in Christ because we recognize our need for Him.

Problems and sin often come when we are in a time of ease and comfort. That is when we let our guard down. We get lazy. We stop watching for the enemy and that is when the adversary strikes.

Let’s stay united in Christ. Let’s keep our guard up at all times; not only as a church but as individuals. Satan wants to divide and conquer us. Let’s not only remain united, but let’s also come closer to one another and bear each other’s burdens.

2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

– Galatians 6:2

Divided we fall.

United in Christ we stand.

Love ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kenny