United: made one – combined, related to, or produced by joint action – being in agreement, harmonious. The word describes multiple parts and pieces or people, for that matter, joined, bound together by joint action. For example, in a wedding, the bride and groom become united in holy matrimony. Their single – separated – life ends, as married – united – life begins.
Unity carries similarities with united – oneness, the quality or state of not being multiple, a condition of harmony, but unity is also defined as an “identity element.” In other words, we can identify as being ONE, not multiple, identify as being united, not divided. It is a choice.
In the United States of America, unity has been a choice since its founding. On September 9, 1776, the name United States of America became official and has remained synonymous with freedom and independence since. The colonies had been called the United Colonies from at least 1775, but the idea of political unification between the 13 colonies was popularized by Benjamin Franklin in 1754 with a “Join or Die” cartoon – a snake divided into sections with state initials beside each. The division constituting certain death.
Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence used the phraseology “A Declaration of the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” These men, with differing ideas, views, and beliefs, chose to be united instead of divided; they chose to identify as one – a unified – nation.
Today it’s no different. There are genuine problems, catastrophic issues that our country is facing, but that isn’t the real trouble. The most serious challenge we face is our lack of unity. We have become the Un-United States. We sneer at one another. An “us and them” mentality is rampant. For Christ-followers, that’s unadvised. Scripture teaches us that a house divided against itself will not stand (Mark 3:24, 25).
It’s time we realized we are not enemies – we’re family, we’re friends, we’re Americans – we’re united – it’s U-n-I-tie. In other words, You and I tied together make unity – a united front, standing together, side-by-side, shoulder to shoulder, a formidable force. Jesus said, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30). He also prayed we would be one like them (John 17:20-23).
The Scripture W.A.N.E. is based on, 2 Chronicles 7:14, describes unification with the heavenly Father. However, we must be unified with one another. We Are Not Enemies, no matter what the columnists, journalistic or broadcast media personalities, commentary, or political pundit tells us. We can identify as ONE – the United States of America – Americans – standing arm in arm, praying for forgiveness – like Jesus – Father, forgive them – identifying like Jesus – Father, make us one.
Would you consider joining us? Go to www.wearenotenemies.com to sign up. Free W.A.N.E. resources are available for download.
Robyn Spradlin is a freelance journalist working as a contributor for Christian News Journal covering news and politics on the national and state levels. She has worked as a copywriter for Victory News on the Victory Channel since 2022. Robyn has an BA in Communication Studies and MA in Journalism from Regent University and is a member of the Evangelical Press Association. She is an author, evangelistic minister and a musician.