Early on we are inclined and at times encouraged to divide and segregate ourselves by way of groups, organizations, class systems and the like. The sexes are split in two before puberty through the Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts. Middle and high schoolers find themselves labeled as geeks, goths, jocks, hicks or freaks. Sororities and fraternities dissect the masses during college years. In adulthood we become Rotarians, Masons, Elks, Veterans, Republicans, Democrats and Water Buffaloes - okay the last one is from childhood. The point is, each of us finds his or her own place in order to feel connected, satisfied, and sometimes justified.
There’s nothing wrong with the whole ‘birds of a feather’ thing. After all, being bonded with others provides and instills teamwork, camaraderie and pride. A problem arises however when we use these factions to erect walls and barriers, blocking others from entering our ranks. Exclusivity becomes the norm. Song lyrics by the group Rush sum it up best. “Subdivisions, in the high school halls, in the shopping malls. Conform or be cast out.”
This same mind set invaded the walls of Christian churches in the province of Galatia some two thousand or so years ago. They divided themselves into camps; the uncircumcised and the circumcised. The Jewish Christian versus the Gentile believer. Today’s equivalent of pant suits versus dresses or hymns versus praise music. Man-made regulations all.
Enter into the fray the Apostle Paul, emphasizing the need for Christians to see themselves as one. In Paul’s mind an individual was either a believer or they weren’t. They were reborn or they remained spiritually dead. Christ was either their Savior or He was simply a footnote in history. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
We haven’t learned much it seems from the writings of Paul or the words from Christ (specifically John 17), that encourage believers to work together in a bond of solidarity. We have been subdivided into Baptists, Methodists, Episcopals, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Church of God, Church of Christ, etc. ( I had to stop or I’d fill up the whole paper).
One day God will tear down all the barricades we Christians have built around ourselves. He will unify His people under one roof, not many. While we’re waiting let’s all pick up a sledgehammer and a crowbar and at least knock a few of those petition walls down. It just may let a little more light into our own space. |
