“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand."1
Together is following the greater commandments of loving one another, "moreover, whoever might have the worlds goods and might see a brother of him in need and closes up his heart from his brother, how is the love of God abiding in him?"7 We often do much wrong in the name of God, in the name of stewardship, financial accountability, but are we really just closing our hearts to our brothers? loving one another is of the greater commandments of God. His principles anchor to the truth and can 't be divided and used on their own to promote our own kingdom.
This word for divide properly means to divide, distribute into parts, portions; to get as a section or allotment; a division or share. Here the kingdom is being divided into shares. This desolation speaks of the wasteland, the wilderness, the other side of the kingdom of God, of Satan who claims himself as lord of heaven, and it speaks of the resulting desolation that division causes. Unity is the opposite of division, it is a disunity from the world, but at the same time requires a unity within and a love for the world. It is a come and be separate, a people unto your God. The kingdom of God divided will become desolate. Together we will stand or divided we will fall.
The United States of America was founded on such a principle as unity. John Dickinson wrote in the "The Liberty Song," "join hand in hand, brave Americans all! By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall!" Patrick Henry before falling in the arms of bystanders proclaimed; "Let us trust God, and our better judgment to set us right hereafter. United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs." Lincoln knew of such a meaning of unity and the heavy burden of such, "A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free."
Our early forefathers trusted in God, and as such they understood this concept of "united we stand, divided we fall" as it is a kingdom principle. If we look at the parable of the prodigal son, most would agree this represents our heavenly Father. One son wants to divide, spend the inheritance on himself, the other is obedient but only for reward, he breaks the commandment of the Father, of not loving his brother. The promise of the inheritance is through the third Son, Jesus, who because of His love for the Father becomes obedient, so much so, he humbled himself and became a bond-servant, to give his life for the children of the Father.
By such togetherness, unity, giving our lives for each other, the world will know that we are His disciples and that we are of the Father. This is the greatest evangelistic tool we have but it is the least practiced, therefore the world looks at us differently, Children of a God they claim to be, self seeking they are, and divided they will fall. This together can only be through love, the most excellent way. "If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."4
To be together is to be benevolent which is "having a disposition to do good; possessing or manifesting love to mankind, and a desire to promote their prosperity and happiness; disposed to give to good objects; kind; charitable."5
Our early forefathers trusted in God, and as such they understood this concept of "united we stand, divided we fall" as it is a kingdom principle. If we look at the parable of the prodigal son, most would agree this represents our heavenly Father. One son wants to divide, spend the inheritance on himself, the other is obedient but only for reward, he breaks the commandment of the Father, of not loving his brother. The promise of the inheritance is through the third Son, Jesus, who because of His love for the Father becomes obedient, so much so, he humbled himself and became a bond-servant, to give his life for the children of the Father.
By such togetherness, unity, giving our lives for each other, the world will know that we are His disciples and that we are of the Father. This is the greatest evangelistic tool we have but it is the least practiced, therefore the world looks at us differently, Children of a God they claim to be, self seeking they are, and divided they will fall. This together can only be through love, the most excellent way. "If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."4
To be together is to be benevolent which is "having a disposition to do good; possessing or manifesting love to mankind, and a desire to promote their prosperity and happiness; disposed to give to good objects; kind; charitable."5
Together is following the greater commandments of loving one another, "moreover, whoever might have the worlds goods and might see a brother of him in need and closes up his heart from his brother, how is the love of God abiding in him?"7 We often do much wrong in the name of God, in the name of stewardship, financial accountability, but are we really just closing our hearts to our brothers? loving one another is of the greater commandments of God. His principles anchor to the truth and can 't be divided and used on their own to promote our own kingdom.
Together we are with God. The greatest gift of God was of love, his child. He came so that we might have life and give it to others, not build our own kingdoms. Be united in this life that we have in the Son, "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment."9 We should be more like the early church, "Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."10
"If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."11 The Golden Rule from God seeks unity, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."12 Oh you say, I am fine with people mistreating me in the name of security, I am fine with unjust judgment, I am fine with mistreatment, and giving up my liberty so that I can be comfortable. Well, understand this, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”14 I am to receive His children in the name of Christ, as a child, innocent, loving, beautiful, brothers and sisters of mine, children of God. In this together we will stand.
"If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."11 The Golden Rule from God seeks unity, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."12 Oh you say, I am fine with people mistreating me in the name of security, I am fine with unjust judgment, I am fine with mistreatment, and giving up my liberty so that I can be comfortable. Well, understand this, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”14 I am to receive His children in the name of Christ, as a child, innocent, loving, beautiful, brothers and sisters of mine, children of God. In this together we will stand.