Bringing a nation back together

 I think most of us will be glad when this election is over. Each election cycle I think it can't get much worse, but then the next election comes, and I realize I was wrong. Neither candidate has taken the high road. Their comments have enflamed a nation already more divided than we have been since the Civil War. After 9-11 it seemed we came together, but that was short-lived. This election has brought out the worst in many of us. Some of the things that have been said on social media about supporters on both sides are unfair and insulting.

In a few days (hopefully) we will know who our next president will be. Both sides are claiming that if the other party loses there will be widespread rioting by its supporters. I hope not, but past events may support those accusations. America is living in a dangerous time. What can the church do? I think at least two things.

One, we need to remind people that regardless of who sits in the White House, God is still on the throne. It is not the elephant or the donkey that will determine the future of this country but the Lamb. I remind people all the time that our nation's salvation will not come from the White House, the State House, or the courthouse but will come from God's house. As citizens of this nation, Christians have a duty to vote for the candidates that best reflect their values and beliefs, but our focus must always be on God. He has the power to turn the hearts of the kings (Pr. 21: 1).

Secondly, the church must begin to work to bring this nation back together. I realize that some churches have done much to enflame the divisions that exist in this country, but that must cease. It's time the church comes together to preach a message of unity and reconciliation. That begins with people being reconciled to God through Jesus Christ and then to be reconciled with one another. This does not mean that people cannot hold different opinions on issues, but it's past time that we stop screaming at one another and begin to debate our differences seeking guidance from God

For this to happen, the church must admit its own sins that have led to the divisions in our nation. Until the church leads the way in this, our nation will never be healed from its divisions (2 Chr. 7: 14). As this verse says, this will require humility on the part of the church, and such humility can be a rare commodity in some churches. Our nation needs to repent, and such repentance must begin in God's house.