I’ve been thinking about the story of Abraham and Lot in relation to church, especially the part where Abraham and Lot’s people are not getting along (see Gen., chap. 13). I’ve often used (or should I say misused!) this story to justify a division when I’m not getting along with someone else. (“Let there be no strife . . . between me and thee”—as I kick them out the door!)
I took a look at this story again and discovered that this parting did not have a happy ending for Lot, who lost everything. When Lot headed away from Abraham, he probably didn’t set out to purposely choose something bad. In fact, he no doubt thought he was choosing something better, something that would really bless his family and help him to continue to grow. Who wouldn’t want that? Probably he felt this was an expression of love. Sometimes people feel that way when they decide to part with church.
Then I took a look at the example of the children of Israel many centuries later. They experienced many divisions within the community. The divisions ranged from disagreement on the nature of God and rules of conduct, to squabbling about who would lead them and which was the best way to get to the Promised Land. Some thought the Promised Land was in the past—Egypt, while others thought it was in the future—Canaan. Others thought it didn’t exist at all—that they would die in the desert. And maybe there was even disagreement about the color of the tent (sounds like some church business meetings!)
