Infighting

Saw an article on the news this morning about the most recent promises in the fight against cancer. Once again, Canadians are leading the way in this one. Hopes are high as researchers are putting a lot of effort right now into using viruses to fight cancer. It is all quite interesting stuff, and if it works like they hope, it could prolong the lives and increase the quality of life for a lot of sick people. That’s the hope and I pray it happens.

The whole thing got me thinking though about the strategy being employed. They are using one disease to fight another. It’s an old trick and a good one. The OT book a 2Chronicles gives us an account of how this can happen in a military setting. The Moabites, Ammonites, together with some Meunites were moving on Jerusalem, and as usual, Israel was greatly outnumbered and surrounded by her enemies (some things haven’t changed a lot over the past 3 thousand years!) and there was no reason to think that there was any way out for them. But Jehoshaphat, then King of Judah, encouraged by Jahaziel, instructed the people to start singing praise to God. The text goes on to say…

“As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another. When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped.” 2Chron 20:22-24

As we come into the New Testament, Jesus made reference to this dynamic. When accused of casting out demons by the devil’s power Jesus responded with the axiom – a house divided against itself cannot stand.

Of course, the principle not only applies to our enemies but also to ourselves. Any house divided against itself cannot stand. This is why the New Testament writers are so adamant about unity. There are numerous passages that form the body of teaching on unity in the church and far too many to consider here or to begin commenting on. Here are just four examples:

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Eph 4:1-6

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Col 3:12-14

In his concluding statements to the Romans he urges them to “ … watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them ... The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” Rom 16:17,20

And here is a very direct statement to the point…

“If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” Gal 5:15

Of course, all four of these are from Paul’s pen but perhaps some of the most compelling calls to unity come directly from Jesus Himself.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20,21

Whether we are talking about church, or our homes, or an organization of any kind really, unity is essential for health and well being. That isn’t to say that we always have to agree on everything. We only need agree on the essential things and be committed to each other. It’s the difference between watching each others backs and stabbing each other in the back. And Jesus elevated it to the one sign above all others that we belong to Him and He is who He claimed to be.

Why not consult one more passage – John 13:34,35

Some of you know it by heart. Some of you will have to look it up. I hope you do.