Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. – Philippians 2:2
The United States has been experiencing an increase in partisan animosity. According to Pew Research, negative feelings from both sides more than doubled between 1994 and 2014. By August 2023, Gallup polling showed the division expanding to a point never seen before. What are Christians to do as the country around them is so deeply divided?
Followers of Christ must recognize that their first loyalty is to God and Him alone. “You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him” (Deuteronomy 13:4). Always remember that Jesus is the King of kings. He is above and over everything in the political world. Jesus stated, in Matthew 4:10, that the Lord is the only One you shall serve. The believer must focus on building trust and confidence in God. Navigate the issues with level-headedness, avoiding the anxiety and hysteria of media outlets. “For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and of love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). Be willing to take a stand where the Bible takes a stand. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:2). God’s word holds the truth (John 17:17). Seek unity in the body of Christ as today’s verse says and, as much as it is possible and up to you, live peaceably with all people (Romans 12:18).
Pray fervently over the coming election. Register and vote. As an ambassador for the Kingdom of God, pray for the men and women who are ambassadors of the United States.
Today’s Verse: Philippians 2:2
complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Ephesians 4:1-16
4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,
“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”
9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
