Healing the Divide

The schism in the Church of God has continued for over 500 years, and in that time the world has seen the end of many schisms though they are not united by the same God, yet Christians, united by God, cannot end their division. Much can be learned by considering how the first schism in the Church was ended by the actions of Peter, Paul and the disciples, and how Japan came to forgive America after enduring two atomic bombs, and how the world has forgiven Germans carrying out Hitler's orders to kill over 11 million Jews as well as the many killed in war among the Allied powers. I began this journey on fire for the Lord as a spirit-filled Christian having attended Baptist, Presbyterian and FourSquare churches only to marry into the Catholic church. After going through Catholic formation, I told myself I would never throw out what was wonderful and good about my Christian faith, and would never throw my Protestant brothers and sisters under the bus, but likewise promised the same for my Catholic brothers and sisters. I have always believed that I was Christian first, and my denomination was second. I believe this is key to healing the divide among many other things. As we grow closer to the end times, we must end this divide, as so many in the secular world have already done, shaming the Church of God. We must be able to do this, shocking the world after all this time, and do the greater things that Jesus promised we would do.