Let’s face it though, if science has indeed disproven Genesis, then we can have no confidence in anything the Bible says. One mistake, a single error, would render the entire Bible less than trustworthy. Yet we know otherwise.

“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).

Maybe you’ve heard this one. 

Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, ‘Don’t do it!’ He said, ‘Nobody loves me.’

I said, ‘God loves you. Do you believe in God?’ He said, ‘Yes.’

I said, ‘Are you a Christian or a Jew?’ He said, ‘A Christian.’

I said, ‘Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?’ He said, ‘Protestant.’

I said, ‘Me, too! What franchise?’ He said, ‘Baptist.’

I said, ‘Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?’ He said, ‘Northern Baptist.’

I said, ‘Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?’ He said, ‘Northern Conservative Baptist.’

I said, ‘Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?’ He said, ‘Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region.’

I said, ‘Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?’ He said, ‘Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912.’

I said, ‘Die, heretic!’ And I pushed him over.

While this story might elicit a slight smile – maybe even a chuckle if you’re Baptist - the problem is that the funniest jokes seem to be those that are closest to the truth. With the slight smile might also come a glimmer of pain, as well.

But the division that we see within the Church (capital C) is also observed by the non-believers outside the church, who often then weaponize it. They use it as a tool to throw shade and doubt about Christianity – claiming that not even Christians can agree on what the Bible teaches. I know this because I have had those very conversations with those who call themselves atheists. 

Given his prayer in John 17, just before his crucifixion and death, obviously Christian unity is of utmost importance to Jesus. He went so far as to explain why – “Then the world will know that you sent me…” Dis-unity – division – in the Church has the polar-opposite impact, in more ways than one.

Jesus prayed for His church – HIS church, not ours – to be united (John 17:20-21). In fact, the biblical calls to unity are far too numerous to even list here. Yet we, in our absolute humanness, arrogance, pride and ego, have chosen a different path. Because we believe we know what is right better than “that other church over there.”

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — I in them and you in me — so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:22-23).

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Radachynskyi

We know this for certain – Christ is going to come again. However, the best we can do is speculate as to when that time will be. The evidence certainly would seem to hold that the true Church will not be here when it happens – but we are closer to that time than ever before.

What the Bible does not do is condemn wealth. What the Bible condemns is the love of money, in other words, putting money first and foremost in our lives and making our faith secondary. And Jesus certainly offered his own advice in that area.

Make no mistake, the leadership of a church – any church – is a vital role. The chosen leader must not only represent the high Biblical standards, but also be a fit for the particular culture they are stepping into. The decision must be mutual and must not be rushed – even if the need feels urgent.

Let’s face it, “Christianophobia” – hatred of all things Christian – is real and it is on the rise. And we can expect that it will get much worse as the return of Christ approaches. Ultimately, of course, Satan hates God and his followers and he wants the world to hate them too.

As followers of Christ, we are called to live differently than the rest of the world. We are called to grace, not hate. We are called to love others – even those with whom we disagree.

In general, this verse expresses a devotion to the God of the Bible. It also shows the person’s commitment not only to serve the Lord, but to raise and teach their family to be devoted to God in the same way.

Christianity was always meant to be a team sport. Everyone working together toward one common good – the kingdom of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

In the case of Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego, they were thrown into the flames – yet, even if they were to die horrible, painful deaths, they refused to deny their God and worship an idol. Oh, that we had that kind of faith when we face trials.

Where does the nation of Israel fit into God’s plan for the End Times? What does God have in store for Israel and the gift of eternal life at the end of the world?

Even today, the plumb line of God’s law serves as a guideline for those saved by grace through faith. Jesus quite specifically taught that he had not come to abolish the Law, but rather to fulfill it.