What new social structures shall we create to eliminate social and class divisions? What economic system shall we enforce to eradicate the economic disparity between those who have and those who have not? How can we more effectively force people to accept those who are different, come from a different culture, speak a different language, or simply have another tone of skin?

Is it possible to find a solution to the evils in our life together by simply changing the economic, political or social structures?

History tells the same story again and again; we can change the external conditions of human life, as many times as we can, but unless we change the heart and soul of people, the cycle will start again.

We must not forget that the root of our social ills comes from the sinfulness in our hearts? I know what some may say at this point, "This is a simplistic approach to the complexity of our problems." I can only remind us that the Scriptures, which are our only rule of faith and practice, speak truth to this:

Luke 6:45 "Good people do the good that is in them. But evil people do the evil that is in them. The things people say come from inside them." (God's Word Translation)

I am wondering what would happen if women and men led by the Holy Spirit would commit to break down the hostility that divides them. I believe that what divides us is not doctrine, social class or status, economic status, or even the color of our skin. There is something deeper that pulls us apart, and we seem to miss it, or merely overlook it. We find the problem at the core of our soul, in our un-reconciled hearts. I am not suggesting here that we need to be reconciled with God again, because it is very probable that you are. The truth is that somehow we can be reconciled with God and at the same time live in enmity, or at least with grudges, with other members of the family of Christ.

I recently read an essay by Bishop George McKinney titled: The Azusa Street Revival Revisited. As he addresses these challenges from the Pentecostal perspective and history, Bishop McKinney provides us wise insight. Speaking about a revival in the early years of the Pentecostal movement, he says:

"In that historic meeting in Hot Springs, Arkansas, white and black brothers in Christ fail to understand the burden of history and the opportunity to speak biblical truth to the powers of racism and segregation." "Jesus had left clear instructions: 'I made you one. I brought you together, stay together.' But a decision in Hot Springs was made to deny the mandate of Christ and to go separate ways based on skin color and ethnicity. May God help us to obey Scripture rather than listen to the directions of culture. May God help us to stay together."

In an unprecedented show of unity Catholics, Orthodox Evangelicals/Pentecostals, Historic Protestants and Historic Black churches have made their presence felt in the halls of Congress and the White House. Many, although quite surprised, are grateful for this collaboration, something that have not happened in many years, if ever. Christian leaders in our country are hopeful that this surprising wave of affinity may continue as we confront other challenges, such as gun controls.

At the recent Annual Meeting of Christian Churches Together in Austin, a statement on immigration reform was enthusiastically approved. The statement calls elected officials to act without delay on reforming our immigration system.