“A house divided against itself cannot stand.” In 1858 a young and charismatic Abraham Lincoln delivered this line in defense of the abolition of slavery. While historians often laud this famous speech, it was in fact quite divisive at the time. Lincoln’s opponents actually used this famous speech against him in the 1858 Senatorial election. Despite concerns by his friends that this message was too radical Lincoln stuck to his conviction. Lincoln’s advisors were concerned that by taking such a hard stance against slavery Lincoln could not win the election. They ended up being right…partially.

While Lincoln would end up losing to Stephen Douglas in the Senatorial race, Lincoln’s vision was gaining traction and within two years, a previously unknown congressman from Illinois would become President of the United States. That was the power of His words.

Lincoln’s words moved the hearts of men, but that is perhaps because Lincoln’s words were reflective of power of His words. In Luke 11:14-23 Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house”.

Of the bible’s many messages, this one I think is one of the most appropriate right now in our intensely partisan country. We have begun to define ourselves by our politics much as we would define ourselves by our culture or family. In the past year I have seen others’ relationships deteriorate due to whether someone has an R or a D on their voter registration. Now some would argue that the time for polite politics has passed. To those who say that they have every right to be angry about politics, I affirm your rage.

To those that feel abandoned by those who voted against their rights and protections, your grief is well founded.  And to those that say, I have no place to speak about political actions that do not personally affect me, you are not wrong.

That being said, one fact remains, a house divided against itself cannot stand. If we continue down this road we, as a country, will not survive. So, if there is anything to be learned from today’s gospel and from the speech of President Lincoln, it is that a message takes time to grow and to be heard. If we fight amongst ourselves and harbor hate in our hearts, that message falls on deaf ears.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., perhaps provided the best interpretation to the words of Jesus and Lincoln when he eloquently said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”