Breaking the Spiritual Dividing Wall

The Commander in Chief Jesus Wants All People

Breaking the Spiritual Dividing Wall

Statistics clearly show that the United States Army is one of the most integrated places in America. Men and women from all nationalities, races, and language groups train, work, and live side by side. They are the volunteer fighting force that is leading the War on Terror and protecting our country. Theirs is a physical war, full of sacrifice and dedication.

On the Christian spiritual war front, though, our armies are very segregated. In fact, sociologists say the most segregated time in the United States is between 9 A.M. and noon on a Sunday. There is a vast and great spiritual war going on in this country, but essentially we are fighting it in armies that only look like us. Many times a white congregant has never attended church with a black and vice-versa. The same can be said for Hispanic churches and Asian. Most have never prayed together, broke bread together, and fought side-side with the weapons that are not carnal but powerful to the pulling down of strongholds.

If we are to truly have an effect on the dark spiritual forces that are destroying the fabric of American life, we have to fight together. All people who put their trust in Jesus, our mighty commander, are required to put on the uniform of the new self: “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all (Colossians 3: 9-11,NIV).” We all put on that same uniform of the new self in Christ Jesus; there is not a difference for a Black, White, Asian, or Hispanic. Just like America’s multiethnic army, we are to be so in spirit and love.

What would happen if only the black regiment of the army trained their guns on the enemy, only a Hispanic only Marine trained to charge the beaches of some foreign enemy What if only white soldiers did battle in the dangerous valleys of Afghanistan?

What if only Blacks are allowed or should fight there? Asians only, Hispanics only? But we do that on the spiritual front across America.

I believe when we get a handle on the Christ is all and is in all and unite as one there will be a shaking this country has never experienced. The south side of Chicago would be particularly shaken. Chicago has a particular problem with racial divide. Go east of I 57, you will find a myriad of churches. Almost all of them are 100% African American. If you went up the hill to the many Irish American Catholic parishes you would see nothing but white faces. The suburbs don’t offer much difference –Evangelical, Main-Line, and Pentecostal. We are fighting a war like a nationalist country like its around the time of the Balkans and WWI when the Holy Spirit is calling for an all out offensive of all nationalities and peoples working together in the warfare we have to fight: The weapons that are not carnal- Fasting, Interceding, Praying in the Holy Spirit, Singing Psalms, prayers, and spiritual songs. Putting on the full armor together (Ephesians 6:10-18), supporting each other against the devil’s schemes and fitting all the armor we need for battle. What an image that is!!!

The Bible doesn’t convey this divided image. “Because you were slain and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe, and language and people and nation. You have added them to be a kingdom of priests to serve our God (Revelation 5: 9b-10, NIV).” What power when we serve together!

Ephesians 2 talks about the great barrier between Jew and Gentile being brought down or destroyed through the blood of Christ. “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulation. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile

Both of them to God through the cross by when he put to death their hostility. I can’t help but think that barrier dividing East and West Morgan Park is the same hostility that can be brought down by the blood of Christ. Black and White can truly be one new man. This is the greatest integration that no sociologist, politician, or educational expert could possibly even imagine putting together, but with the Holy Spirit, our Great Guide and teacher, the One who points to Jesus, The Lion of Judah, we can do it.

This great, integrated, spiritual army could shake America.