It has been said that the most bloody & defining conflict that America has ever faced was the U.S. Civil War fought from 1861-1865. I had no idea how true that was until recently. I have just finished watching a powerful nine part documentary put together by Ken burns about the American Civil War that has changed my life and understanding of the United States. Even if you are not a fan of history, I recommend this powerful work by Ken Burns.
Why should you care about history? Because history repeats itself. Since there is nothing new under the sun, I am convinced that history is God’s gift to us because it can shed light on conflicts that we are currently or will eventually face. Watching this documentary by Ken Burns has shown me 3 major points about the Civil War that I believe have direct correlation to the conflict that Jesus Christ may be bringing to your marriage, your family, and your church community.
1. The Cross
The cross of Christ purchased a new freedom for humanity, and if anyone wants to enter into that freedom, they will have to take up their cross as well. The cross is an instrument of conflict. As believers in Christ, the cross is the necessary means of putting to death the old fleshly reality of slavery that stands in the face of our new reality of freedom. Before the cross is applied to our flesh, however, the freedom & power of Christ’s divine life is simply theoretical. The cross is where these two realities meet, and there is always severe conflict.
There is no doubt in my mind that the Civil War was this nation’s cross, so to speak. It has been said that the United States, before the Civil War, was only a theoretical nation which was founded upon the premise that all of humanity was created equal. The reality on the ground, however, was something quite different from that premise. If there hadn’t been a pretense or written document that proclaimed freedom and equality for all men, then there would not have been any basis for a conflict.
The two realities of slavery and freedom were destined to come head to head in conflict when those words about mankind’s inherent identity and worth stemming from our creator were penned in the Declaration of Independence. One reality would have to win out over the other because the two realities of slavery and freedom were not, and are not, compatible with each other.
I believe the same is true regarding the conflict that we are facing with the institutional church system today. The current system, in which only a select few are able to actively function in the church body while the rest must remain passive, produces slavery. The system of religion from the institution, in which the body of Christ is taught to see themselves through the lens of their sinful flesh as opposed to their new nature in Christ, also produces slavery.
There would be no problem or conflict with the system of institutional religion that produces slavery except for the truth of Christ that is revealed through the scriptures. Jesus said when we know the truth, the truth will set us free. He is the personification of truth! The reality of freedom (Christ) and slavery (religion) will clash and war will occur until freedom triumphs over slavery. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” (Galatians 5:1)
2. The real problem & the severe cost of conflict
Hindsight is usually 20/20. Today, most understand what the root cause of the U.S. Civil War was. After watching this documentary, however, I learned that this was certainly not the case during the midst of the conflict. Abraham Lincoln himself did not easily come to the conclusion of what the war was about until late in the war. In the beginning, Lincoln believed the war was more about preserving the status quo ‘Union’ than it was the application of freedom and equality to all people. Consider this statement from Lincoln:
“My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that.”
The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume V, “Letter to Horace Greeley” (August 22, 1862), p. 388.
Eventually, it became clear to Lincoln that the status quo ‘Union’ would not be able to be preserved. A new reality of freedom would have to be pursued that would be completely different from what the nation had known since its inception. This realization by Lincoln led to the emancipation proclamation. The emancipation proclamation of 1863 by Lincoln was opposed by not only the South, which was still in rebellion, but the majority of the North as well.
There were riots and attacks upon black people in the North as a result of the emancipation proclamation. Many people in the North expressed outrage at the thought the real cause they were fighting for was the freedom of the slaves. People were more content to fight for the preservation of the status quo (the Union) than they were of the eradication of the system of slavery and oppression.
At this point in the war, the anti-war movement in the North was growing, and it looked as if Lincoln would surely be defeated in the next election of 1864. To the majority of the nation, the cost of the war was too high, and the cause was not worth the bloody conflict. There were a few, however, like Fredrick Douglas (a freed slave turned activist) and eventually president Lincoln himself, who realized the stakes of what the conflict was really about. This realization helped them endure the conflict through to completion.
Likewise, scripture says that Jesus endured the scorn of the cross because of the joy set before Him. I have come to realize that Jesus’ joy was rooted in seeing His bride (the church), because of the cross, become the expression of His very own body & glory throughout the entire earth! This vision was so great that He endured the scorn of the cross just to make this vision become a reality!
In the same way that many involved in the Civil War lost their drive to fight because of the high cost of the conflict, unless we too have a correct vision of Christ and His body, we will grow weary and surrender the fight as well. We’ll settle for the status quo in our relationships, church communities & institutions just to make ‘peace’. The sad reality is that there are only a few who will actually endure the scorn of the cross because many Christians don’t know what the cause of the conflict with the religious system is, and even fewer grasp a vision worth bearing a cross for.
Many people can recognize the problems with the American institutional church system, but only a few can recognize the roots of the problem. I have written about this very thing in the past. I would encourage you to read about the roots of the problems of the institutional church system by clicking here.
While we need to understand what the roots of the conflict are, it will take a profound vision and revelation of Jesus Christ to sustain us through and lift us out of this bloody conflict. Unfortunately, there are fewer still who grasp this vision & mystery of Christ even within ‘organic’ church circles. You can read what I have previously written about this by clicking here.
Without this vision of Christ’s fullness, we will give up the fight, settle for the status quo, and go back to ‘Egypt’ so to speak. When this happens, the freedom, victory, and dynamic life that Christ has purchased for us stays in the ‘theoretical’ realm. It never becomes reality among our families or our church communities because our desire to end the conflict may be greater than our vision of Jesus Christ & His body. This never leads to peace, but appeasement. If we truly want ‘peace’, we’ll have to fight for it! History teaches us this. The fight I’m referring to is spiritual, however.
3. It is easier to attack a person than it is to attack a system
Time has a way of making heros out of villains. While most of the nation now agrees that Abraham Lincoln was one of this country’s greatest leaders, he was not viewed that way during much of his presidency. Lincoln was seen as a source of conflict and division. After all, the South decided to secede from the Union after his election to the White House. The North blamed him for much of the poor war strategy in the beginning of the war, and they blamed him for making the war about the eradication of slavery with the emancipation proclamation in 1863. He was blamed for being the reason that the country was literally coming apart at the seams.
Obviously, the problems that our nation faced did not originate with Lincoln. It began much earlier. The real conflict in our nation began when truth was presented. When the founding fathers of our nation signed a document that stated that the nation was being founded upon the premise that humanity was created by the creator with equal worth and inherent dignity, the conflict with slavery was all but assured.
While there were a few who knew the system of slavery had to be dealt with, the vast majority seemed intent upon finding a peaceful coexistence between the theory of freedom & equality and the reality of slavery. In the North & South there were many who opposed the idea of slavery, but many of them also opposed the conflict even more. Those people opposed Abraham Lincoln and saw him as the source of conflict as well.
Like I mentioned, history repeats itself. I have seen this personally in the current struggle we are in for the freedom of the bride of Christ (the church). Religion (man’s system of righteousness) is slavery, and much of God’s people have been, and are still trapped in this system. When truth came (Christ), war between these two systems was declared. I am convinced that religion is satan’s preferred system of slavery because it is hard to recognize. It looks good on the surface. It has a form of ‘godliness’ but lacks any substance.
Christ Himself (the prince of peace) said that He came to bring conflict right into a person’s household and community. If freedom is going to be a reality, this conflict must occur. Notice that Jesus was talking to people who were considered ‘God’s people’. He was not talking to those who were considered outside of God’s household. Christ brings division first to those who claim to be of God’s household. This was true in the times of the gospels, and nothing has changed.
If you carry a true vision of Jesus Christ, you will experience division in your own households, and in your own church communities. This is also true for those who are attempting to function in ‘organic’ church as well. We may have left the institutional system of religion that produces slavery, but it takes the cross to kill the fleshly system of religion still operating inside of us. There is no escaping this.
Jesus promised conflict, and this has always been the case. Those trapped in the system of religion will not see Christ Himself as the source of their offense, rather they will see you or something else as the problem. Even the thought that Christ is what may be offending them is offensive to them.
Allow me to leave you with a couple of thoughts that may be helpful:
1. Understand that offense & Jesus go hand in hand.
Jesus said “Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.” (Matt. 11:6) Remember Jesus was actually saying this to a very committed servant of God, John the Baptist. I don’t care who you are, you will be tempted to become offended at Christ. You will be blessed if you reject this temptation.
2. Understand that if you are in Christ, civil war is coming to you and your household.
Jesus said that our enemies will be those of our own households and communities. The more that Christ reveals Himself through you, the more that others will be offended. Those who are most offended will also be the most religious. When this occurs, you must understand that you are no more the source of the conflict than Abraham Lincoln was the source of the conflict between the States.
Understanding these things will enable you to love those who see you as the cause of the problem, and it will also enable you to withstand the war until peace comes. The prince of peace will establish His church through victory, not appeasement. The conflict will be severe, but love ultimately wins. Christ is the personification of love. He is the greatest warrior and also the greatest weapon. May you embrace Him and fight this war with courage!
“The conflict will be severe, but love ultimately wins.”
Love… wins. You said it not me XD
Nah I’m just playing with you. But yes what you said throughout the article is very true, and I think it’s helpful for some people to understand better when compared to something they are more familiar with.
Anthony,
Thx for reading bro! I agree, history certainly helps clarify things in the present. Blessings to you!
Yes. I agree with this wholeheartedly. Satan LOVES religion and will be fighting with everything he’s got to keep it intact. We will need to be led by the Holy Spirit in the battleground. We are more than conquerors in Christ!
Thx for reading sister:)
I have already written a quote card, “Peace, Not Appeasement” because once again, you have it on the nose, Brother! This Civil War analogy has brought a level of detail and tangible clarity to what we’re facing, and as Anthony said it’s a comforting and helpful thing. Makes what we face a lesser unknown. I wish I knew better how to prepare, what this “detox” period is supposed to look like/accomplish, what the end result is supposed to look like…I’m on board and yet I struggle to see through the fog the exact shape of the ship I’m on. Any further revelation what this is supposed to look like in the end?
Michelle,
Thx again for reading and sharing your comments and heart. I do have some ideas. I’ll share more next week in an email. Blessings to you sister:)
I think MANY people’s eyes are slowly opening to the reality that “religion” is not of Jesus. I think you are right on with this article and it helps clarify a lot of what you have been expressing this last year or so.
As you know Jamal, Jason and I have experienced some push-back and experienced just a “taste” of the war that is out there among believers. It is REAL. It is heartbreaking. It is not easy. But what keeps me personally going and striving for MORE of Jesus and less of this world and worldly thought (including the idea of religion) is experiencing the HEART freedoms from expectations of others (leaders, mentors, friends, etc) and freedom in challenging myself to live more by the Spirit that is REAL and alive in me. The more I live in the Spirit and familiarize myself with him through study of the Word, and just experiencing the “feelings” of the Spirit, the less I am fearful of what “others think.” Because I know that I know that I know that the Spirit is alive and guiding every step I bring past him and God’s Word.
God is good.
Brianna,
Hey sister thanks for reading and sharing your comments! I know that you know about this ‘Civil War’ that I’m speaking of. Hang in there, there is a good reason for it:) I’m praying for courage and strength for you guys to follow where all of this is leading. Blessings to you:)
Very insightful post Jamal! Thank you =o)
Zen,
Hey brother, thx for reading!
Wow, I needed that encouragement! This ol’ battle gets tiring sometime…
Hey sister, as always, I appreciate you reading and your comments. I’m glad to know that the Lord encouraged you through this most recent article. Hang in there:)
The nondenominational urban megachurch movement is losing steam and the next big thing (the emergent church) really isn’t the next big thing–it is more like John the Baptist announcing that something better is coming–THE kingdom of God is at hand, and organic church appears to be a positive step in that direction. I say “appears to be” because satan has an amazing ability to hijack the best of intentions. You very astutely note that satan uses “religion” to manifest his evil schemes. But perhaps even more than religion he loves “theology.” Bonhoeffer points out that Adam and Eve’s dialog with Satan in Genesis is the beginning of theology. I expand on our Lord’s answers to satan’s ploys in my book: “Jesus v. satan: The Message of the Wilderness Temptations” ~ Continue the good fight, Jamal ~ blessings on your work.
Thanks so much for reading brother:)
Hi Jamal! I see that God is bringing His church to the unity of the faith in the bond of peace through conflict. I have been studying “Grace Walk” by Steve McVey, and it is explaining that walking in the flesh is self sufficiency. Our churches have kept us busy in self sufficiency and so we are feeding our flesh with works and not by walking in the Spirit. This is a personal walk led by the Spirit of God that may look like you are abandoning the work of the church. When I came out of this flesh walk I lost my identity, because it was in being the Sunday School teacher for 10 yrs. It was a hard struggle to find that my identity was in Christ and not anything I do . Many of us have experienced conflict just within ourselves and our own church when coming out of this slavery of law and works. Since we have experienced it personally we can be ready for it in other areas of our lives because the grace of God is His ability. God bless you Jamal!
Mary,
Thx for reading and commenting sister. I agree that many institutions keep people busy in the doing of ‘things’ in self sufficiency while calling it ‘ministry’. You are right, walking in the Spirit of Christ is key. In addition to this being a personal walk, it is also a walk that needs to occur in the community of relational body life that occurs between brothers and sisters. This is where the fullness of Christ is found according to Ephesians 1. Obviously the institution does not have the ability to function this way for a variety of reasons. They are only able to do what institutions do. Life begets life, institutions beget tasks and systems.
Your article, Jamal, makes me think of when Henry Blackaby (and Claude King) talks about a “crisis of belief” in the workbook, “Experiencing God.” Though they are not talking about exactly the same thing, there are similarities, as far as them both being turning points, and both involving sacrifice, commitment, a decision, and most likely a battle of some sort.
A friend of mine has read a couple books on the ‘organic church,’ and he and his wife and I tried to start one up, but it fell apart after only weeks. We have visited local churches since then (and all 3 of us have belonged to local churches of various denominations for many years), but more and more, it seems that local churches are run like a business, or like a club, rather than like a body of believers. We have been talking about trying to start up an ‘organic church’ again, but we are at somewhat of a loss. One of the books my friend read suggested paying someone to fly down and teach us how, but we lack the money, and it seems to us like doing that would be too much like ‘organizational religion,’ as would hiring someone with experience/training to be a Pastor to us (i.e., having one person in control). We would like to visit an ‘organic church’ to see how its done, but we don’t know of any nearby, even though we have looked. The ‘local churches’ seem more interested in their own programs within their four walls than in getting together with believers outside their own ‘congregation.’ They seem more interested in entertainment than they do in going out on the streets to minister one-on-one to homeless people or witnessing to the lost out on the streets. They seem more interested in keeping up the landscaping on the church property and paying money towards their own building, than they do in using that money to help others in the community who are in bad shape. My friend has been talking to homeless persons every week and befriending them (plus witnessing to them and sometimes giving them material help), and they have told him that places like the Salvation Army offers food, but you have to get there about 4 or 5 Am, and you have to pay for it, which they cannot afford, and when they try to find shelter at a church to sleep at, the church just kicks them off the property and tells them to go elsewhere. This does not seem like the way true Christians should act. Of course, there are no perfect people on earth, but it seems that the body of believers on earth, or at least in America, does not seem to closely resemble what we read in the book of Acts.
Jeff,
Thx for reading the article, and thx for your comment as well. I’m going to send you a private email with some thoughts for you. Blessings brother!
Jamal,
Great job, Jamal…..thanks for posting. This might also bless you….a very confirming prophecy about the growing civil war in the holy nation over truth vs. the traditions of men (religion). See “God is your Source”, prophecy begins at 38:00 and ends at 46:00.
http://www.winterlive.com/grace/index.php?player=1&videoID=2448&isGuest=
Laura,
Thanks again Laura for reading! Thanks for sharing as well.
Jamal, again you don’t disappoint. You must have a mole here, because “I” just finished a 10 part series about America’s Christian Heritage and how far we’ve fallen.
@Laura..great link
I appreciate you taking the time to read Anthony:)
I finally got to read this today and it was, of course, perfect timing! Just had a discussion with a beloved brother who is concerned with my withdrawal from the institutional church. (By the way, I didn’t take myself out, and never saw myself leaving. It was definitely Holy Spirit.) Even with his concerns, which I couldn’t answer well, he agreed with many of the statements I made about religion in every form of what is called “church,” and how it hinders what Jesus’ body is here for. Your analogy of the Civil War and what is happening is so clear, and I will be sending him this link to help him see more clearly what I am feeling, though I cannot put it into words as well as you do. Thanks so much, Jamal, for staying in there to bring out the Truth Holy Spirit is bringing forth to His body in this day! It seems like I keep “bumping into” people in all varieties of life who are feeling this stirring, as well. Blessings to you and your family!
Kay,
Hey sister, thx for reading and commenting. I’m encouraged to know that this article has been an encouragment to you in regards to the journey the Lord is taking you on. I appreciate His courage in you. It is never easy to leave the ‘land’ that we have been familiar with, so to speak, in order to journey to a land that He is leading us to. Blessings to you and your family as well:)
So glad I found your site. You do such a great job of articulating truth! I have been on this journey of leaving the institutional church for a while now; and it is quite a lonely place to be… I know about the “civil war” of which you speak; I live it DAILY…. in a way that most people could not understand and would be surprised. While I would like to share how, I don’t feel comfortable in this format. I guess I am just trying to reach out here… crying out in the wilderness. Thank you for the encouragement and thank you for speaking truth!
Michele,
Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment. I am glad this article is an encouragement to you. Please know that you are not alone in the battle you are facing. It is only for a season. He will refresh you with His Son, and he will bring a resolution to the matter at the perfect time. Blessings to you Michele.
Great article Jamal, conflict brings clarity to a topic where there is confusion. Although conflict is not welcomed, it indeed can be healthy. It defines our interests, our focus, and will bring to “light” our true motives. In this, just as we understand from the “civil” war, reconciliation can be the outcome of conflict.
In Paul’s ministry we find him dealing with conflict, misunderstanding, and religion. The first letter penned in the New Covenant to my understanding is the letter to Galatia. Paul is deeply moved by the disciples embracing religion instead of Christ. They indeed had a form, yet lacked reality. His approach to this issue was quite firm. Love can indeed be firm, and to the point. Love can always be found in truth. We all know that Truth sets us free.
As we proceed, our mode of operation must be to speak the Truth in Love, but none the less speak the truth.
We all know many of our brothers and sisters trapped in the bondage of religion, it may be helpful to remember.
Religion seems real until real becomes real.
Thanks bro for this article.