Quarrels and Divisions

The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. (Titus 3:8-11 ESV).

My visit to D.C. this year is proving of great interest in that I am learning more of the back story of the memorials and monuments. It seems that they were not always held in the great reverence they are today. In fact, the story behind the Jefferson Memorial is one of those that could teach all of us a very important lesson. It is one of older monuments in the national mall. It is now 74 years old. Many believe that Jefferson is meant to be watching over the White House, but in reality, he’s looking just east of it, to the U.S. Treasury Building. In front of it stands a statue of Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury and one of Jefferson’s biggest rivals. Hamilton is looking in Jefferson’s direction as well, but that’s just luck. His bronze was installed in 1923, back when they were still thinking about honoring Teddy Roosevelt instead of Thomas Jefferson. But the direction of Jefferson’s gaze is certainly no accident, according to the National Park information about the memorial: "George Washington hated the idea of factions and of political parties, wanting everyone to recognize themselves as nothing other than Americans. In his opinion, Jefferson and Hamilton were leading those that were beginning to pull the administration apart and even pull the country apart into parties. Standing between the Jefferson and Hamilton statues is the monument to President Washington, who tried to bridge their differences, who tried to unify them in common purpose, but failed.” The Apostle Paul recognized how destructive any divisions or “quarrels” would be in the community of faith. Our reading today encourages us to avoid these foolish controversies that so often become points of separation. We have not heeded that exhortation in many churches, and worse, we have not practiced that in our families. Unless we find the grace to practice affirmative, loving relational conversation in our homes, we will continue to see their destruction. I wonder how many marriages and families could have been saved from the destruction of divorce and estrangement had they been infused with the power of God’s grace. Devote yourself to making that the reality of your life today.