Those in America, like myself, live in a nation where there is a separation of church and state, however, as Christians – we don’t live in a Church where there is a separation of Christians and the Church.

Well, at least you could have fooled me that this is the case.

The truth is, in our Christian culture, we do in fact live in a Church with such a separation lately – and it’s worsening with the heightened political fervor in this election year. This isn’t how God intended for the Church – the Body of Christ – to operate. For in division, He can do nothing.

God’s focus with the Church was to prompt a unifying focus to congregate under so we all have the mind of Christ dwelling within us, guiding us all to spread <em>His</em> love and compassion; not our humanly versions of it.

The extreme hot topic lately in our nation right now is revolving around homosexuality, and I live directly in the midst of this controversial topic because I live in Charlotte, NC. Not only is the Democratic National Convention coming to Charlotte this summer, the vote on May 8th to amend North Carolina’s Constitution solidifying an already established law that marriage is only seen as between one man and one woman.

Now, since May 8th, this topic has truly been bringing out of people [even in the Church] passions unlike I’ve ever seen. Many on the extreme left, as well as the extreme right, of the fence are engaged in judgmental behaviors, and it’s breaking my heart.

Now, see, this is where I believe the Buddhists caught wind of God’s truth and adopted it into their philosophy and put their own slight spin on it.

The middle path.

Buddhists are extremely ardent about living a balanced life. This balance is lived out in the Buddhists life by expressing love, compassion and a lack of judgment upon anyone or anything in this world.

This truth is seen in scripture where Jesus reveals to us that the way to living life isn’t to an extreme left or an extreme right – it’s through the narrow gate. (re: <a href="http://bible.us/matt7.13.esv" target="_blank">Matthew 7:13</a>)

I’m not about to get all preachy on you all, slamming a bunch of scripture down your throats; however, this scripture alone reveals so much concerning the political season our nation is in right now. It reveals that the life we all seek to live isn’t found on either side of the fence, it’s found in a place we can [even as Christians] all so easily can overlook when the world screams at us to look elsewhere:

Jesus.

He is the narrow gate.

He is the middle path.

He is the one who has all of this in the palms of his hands because He is the one who already overcame this world and won it for all of our sakes.

Now you may be at a point as you read this, thinking, <em>“Okay, Marni. Enough averting the point. Just where do you stand on this issue of homosexuality? Just how did you vote on May 8th?”</em>

And see, this is exactly the point I’m seeking to make. While the question runs through your minds as to where I stand versus where you stand, you are missing the point. Seeking out where I stand on a political issue, seeks out a means to either unite or divide – yet either way, it’s encouraging judgmental thinking and behavior that God doesn’t encourage us to live out.

Now on a more “American” note, our  Pledge of Allegiance states , <em>“One nation, under God, indivisible…”</em>  These words alone give us all a freedom that many nations don’t have, and that freedom comes in unity – not division.

It’s no different in the Church.

The proclamation isn’t we are indivisible…<em>as long as we <span style="text-decoration: underline">all</span> agree on political issues</em>. It simply states, <span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>we are indivisible</em></span>. Period.

Politically speaking, does God have anything to do with a nation? Should His name even be put into a pledge that unifies all the people within it – even from different religions, races and creeds? Honestly, this is a discussion for another time. For now though, we are on the topic of divisiveness in the Church.

So...

...why the division? Why the eyes being taken off of Him, and being placed on political, worldly agendas that only seek to divide within so as to break up His ultimate commission of which all Christians have been appointed to? Why let politics divide up what He so beautifully designed as a means to bring us all closer to Him, in turn helping others come to know Him as well – no matter the sins committed by anyone of us?

It’s simply how the world operates, and how it’s ruler enjoy playing the game. However, we as Christians, aren’t to be <em>of</em> this world though we <em>live</em> in it. We are to keep our focus on Christ, letting Him lead the way…in politics, and especially in the Church.

So, friends, no I won’t state for the record how I voted on May 8th here in North Carolina. You are more than free to guess to the hills and back how I voted, and you may very well be correct in your assumptions. Let's not be distracted by our pThe point I’m seeking to make here isn’t about how I voted on May 8th, it’s simply to help encourage my brethren's eyes and hearts to re-focus on Christ at all times – especially in this heated political season. My hearts seeks to be unified with all my brethren in Christ, not divided. Therefore, beyond politics is where I stand above all.

I stand with Christ.

I stand with the God-man who redeemed my soul so I can live with Him eternally, in this world and beyond. He is my focus, for He not only redeemed me…He has redeemed so many others. He also abounds in grace beyond comprehension for the sins we all commit in this life.

I am no greater or lesser than another, nor are any of you.

My sins are no greater or lesser than anyone else’s, nor are any of yours.

No matter where we stand on issues in this world, my brethren…my brothers and sisters in Christ…our political viewpoints concerning this nation should never come between us as a Church. God has given us insight it will happen, but this is not how He designed the Church to function. Simply study (don’t just read) the book of Acts.

Christ doesn’t teach division within the Church (the Body of Christ). True, His example set Him apart from this world, but He is the glue in our Church. He unites His children (us), in the Church, to further the commission He set out for us to do: to spread the gospel unto all nations.

We cannot fulfill this commission while divided amongst ourselves.

We will, in the Church, have differing viewpoints – yes. We are all different creations in Christ, made in God’s image. However, we have one unifying aspect in our lives that we needn't let escape our views when it comes to our differences…

Jesus.

Church, let us not forget this.