Every disciple who follows Jesus should be concerned with unity among believers. Jesus prayed for unity among believers, and the Apostle Paul condemned division within the church universal.

From both of these powerful teachers we learn that unity can be a powerful witness to the world concerning the love, patience and compassion of God, while division is often a mark of carnality and spiritual immaturity within the Christian community.

Unfortunately, many who claim to follow Jesus simply have not done a very good job in displaying unity and have, in fact, hindered the cause of Christ at different times and different places because of the lack of unity.

Some might well say that the problem of division existed in the early days of the church. They would be right.

We are given many glimpses of division showing its ugly face in the New Testament. The Church at Corinth was a prime example. Even the conduct of some teachers and disciples in their relationships with others was suspect on many occasions. But such turmoil was anticipated by Christ as he told his parable of the tares.

We also know that division has continued throughout the history of the church, with schisms between the Roman and Orthodox churches as well as denominational divisions of the Protestant churches.

Martin Luther asked that "men make no reference to" his name. "What is Luther?" he asked. "My doctrine, I am sure, is not mine, nor have I been crucified for any one." He even asked that people "not call themselves Lutherans." But it happened anyway.

John Wesley said -- "Would to God that all party names, and unscriptural phrases and forms which have divided the Christian world, were forgot and that the very name (Methodist) might never be mentioned more, but be buried in eternal oblivion." But the division remained.

Even the famous Baptist preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon spoke against denominationalism. "I look forward with pleasure to the day when there will not be a Baptist living!" He said. "I hope that the Baptist name will soon perish, but let Christ's name last forever."

But division among Christians is now stronger than ever, as demonstrated by the literally thousands of denominations. There have been nearly twenty (20) identifiable divisions in the last 150 years, and there have been countless divisions in individual congregations over matters of personality or décor rather than doctrine!

This weekend there will be a gathering of Christians in Marshall. I believe the flier declared "A Gathering of Eagles." Many Christians from several different denominations are hoping this will be the start of something miraculous in our town -- that God will indeed touch and bless the efforts of those promoting the event.

I hope there is great success in what they do. I hope there is a stirring that comes from these meetings; a shaking that first and foremost begins in the house of God and then radiates to the community and beyond.

I hope it brings true repentance, for that is surely the place where any move of God must begin.