Us vs Them: God's View

We live at a time when many people, religious people, are tired of the Bible and its message. They have grown weary of the ‘bloody’ message of the cross. They think doctrine promotes controversy. “Why can’t we all just get along and help others?”

That sounds nice...except there is a distinction, a kind of ‘Us’ and ‘Them.’ God views the two distinct groups in various ways in Scripture, such as those who are in the kingdom of God and those who are not. Also...

• The godly and the ungodly
• The righteous and the unrighteous
• The good and the evil/bad
• The saved and the lost
• The saints and the sinners

Perhaps the most important distinction is that of the living and the dead. The Apostle Paul wrote to Christians in Ephesus and informed them that they were formerly “dead in your trespasses and sins.” He went on to say that through God’s grace they had been saved. God “made us alive together with Christ….” (Ephesians 2)

It is easy to read passages of Scripture like that and think it is figurative. However, the distinction of the living and the dead goes back to the beginning of the Bible when everything that God had created was good. He had created mankind in His own image. Mankind enjoyed fellowship with God.

However, when Adam and Eve sinned, it was more than the breaking of a rule. They literally separated themselves from God demanding their own independence. They wanted to think for themselves and make their own choices. It was not that God was opposed to them thinking and choosing. Rather, it was a matter of trust. Adam and Eve decided to trust in themselves and in doing so, broke fellowship with God. In that, they died.

So, in God’s view there is an ‘Us and Them.’ It is rooted in the distinction between God and man. Yet, before sin entered, there was only ‘Us.’ God did not change. Adam and Eve separated themselves from God and in doing so created an ‘Us and Them’ relationship. And from the beginning, the distinction was between the living and the dead: The Living God and man.

So, ultimately, God does not wish for the distinction. He is not in favor of ‘Us and Them.’ For that reason, from the beginning, He has been working out a plan of redemption, a plan that would give life to those who have separated themselves by sin and its consequence: death.

It is sometimes overlooked that there are consequences for choices and actions. For most people, the consequence of sin does not seem frightening. After all, people are not falling down dead when they get drunk, have an affair, lie, or gossip. However, the lack of immediate consequences does not mean that consequences do not exist.

The Bible teaches that Jesus will return to take the saints home with Him. It will be a time of separation in which God will make the ultimate and final distinction between the living and the dead. Those who have been born again, that is, made alive through the Holy Spirit will enjoy life eternal. All others will be forever separated from God and all that is good.

The Apostle John wrote a short letter (1 John) to Christians so they could KNOW that they possess eternal life. There IS a clear distinction: Those who have the Son of God have life; those who do not, have no life.

Do you have the Son of God?

Mark Stinnett

May 31, 2026

Us vs Them: Attitude

Prejudice.

Racial prejudice has been an issue in our nation for decades and has even crept into God’s church. Of course, there are also other kinds of prejudice.

A person is marked as prejudiced whenever they prejudge others. Think about that term: pre-judge. A judgment is made beforehand. In other words, before learning about a person an evaluation is made. The individual is ‘sized up’ so that conclusions are drawn without knowledge.

Prejudice creates an ‘us versus them’ mentality. People are categorized into two groups, those who are more like me (us) and the others (them). Such division might be motivated by opinions about skin color, clothing, employment, economic standing, one’s accent or vocabulary, one’s state of birth, current residence, political preferences, hobbies, and the list goes on.

An ‘us vs them’ attitude justifies ‘us’ looking down on ‘them’ because of the noted difference(s). ‘We’ feel more comfortable or entitled to belittle ‘them’ because ‘they’ are clearly lower or lesser than ‘us.’ We are superior.

There is no ‘us’ and ‘them’ in the church. We are all children of God. Even though God has assigned different roles there is no human hierarchy. Our leaders, that is, our elders, are members of the body of Christ. Our deacons, preacher, and teachers are members of Christ. The youngest and least experienced Christian is as much a member as the oldest and wisest.

Consider the following Scriptures that emphasize our oneness:

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

--Galatians 3:28

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 

--1 Corinthians 12:13

Speaking of our renewal in Christ, Paul wrote that…

...There is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Sythian, slave and freemen, but Christ is all, and in all.

--Colossians 2:11

It was told Jesus that his mother and brothers wished to see Him.

But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” 

--Luke 8:21

Without any further distinction or qualification...

But as many as received Him [Jesus], to them He gave the right to become children of God even to those who believe in His name.

--John 1:12

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God...The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. 

--Romans 8:14, 16

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

--Galatians 3:26

In Christ’s church, there is no ‘us’ and ‘them.’ Such an attitude causes strife and left unchecked, ends in division. Guard your attitude regarding your fellow saints in Christ. Remember that, even though we may differ in many ways, we are all children of God, and God makes no distinctions.

Mark Stinnett

May 24, 2026

Happiness or Joy?

June 1970: Family reunion & camping.
Summer, 1976: Water fights & hilarity in the back yard.
Fall, 1982: Grilling out with other poor young married couples.
June, 1987: First baby girl.
July, 1992: First house.
October, 2007: Vacation in the sun; no kids.
Christmas break, 2014: Holiday feast; all the kids home; games and gifts.
2017, 2022, 2024: Italy, Italy, Italy.

Memorable occasions stand out for one reason or another reminding us of happy times. With each happy memory comes stories of laughter, fun, and particularly satisfying events. Perhaps one reason that we have those special memories is because those were occasions that were out of the ordinary. We would like every day to be an “amusement park” day filled with fun and excitement and cotton candy (or other tasty food with absolutely no nutritional value).

Occasions such as these come under the banner of happiness.

We all know what happiness is. However, you might not know that the word happiness is dependent upon circumstances. It is a cousin to the word happen. (Check that out in one of those big, thick dictionaries.)

Happiness fades, often with the fading light of day. Why? Our circumstances change day by day; things happen.

Yet, there are some people who seem to be happy all the time. Nothing gets them down, even when they are down. They seem to be different from everyone else. I have heard some claim that they have simply decided to be happy. That’s nice, but sometimes life stinks. I want something better.

Others gage their happiness by comparing their life to others. They recognize that they are more fortunate and that gives them reason to be happy. That’s also nice but still dependent on circumstances. Anything better?

I have decided to set my eyes on Jesus who is…

The author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

 —Hebrews 12:2

What is that joy that Jesus possessed? How was it possible for him to have joy while enduring the pain and shame of the cross?

The joy that Jesus possessed was not based upon circumstances. The pain of the crucifixion did not bring joy, nor did the shame. Yet the pain and shame brought about a good result, our salvation. His joy was in knowing the future result that God had promised mankind through His death.

His joy was not a mere positive attitude. His joy was not a mere point of view by comparing Himself to others. His joy was based on something real. He actually grabbed hold of something with substance, God’s promises. That same joy exists for those who are saints in Christ.

Would you rather possess lasting joy rooted in the promises of God, or the temporary happiness that is dependent upon circumstances?

Have you grabbed hold of God’s promises?

Consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

 —Hebrews 12:3

Mark Stinnett

May 17, 2026

The Gift of Motherhood

When I was young, Dad preached for 10 years. So, I heard about 1,000 of his sermons. I can distinctly remember only four:

• The one when he knocked over the vase of flowers sitting beside the podium.
• The one when he accidentally spit out his dentures...and caught them!
• The one when he called me to the front for misbehaving.
• The one on mercy.

I learned many lessons in life from my dad, but most of them were not from his sermons, and most of them were after college. The overwhelming majority of life’s lessons were learned in the home...in the kitchen...from my mom. Some of those lessons are as vivid today as if they had occurred yesterday; a lesson on lying and deceit, and one on pride. (Yes, I was guilty on both occasions.) Yet, most lessons were hidden in the myriad of mundane day-to-day activities and rather boring conversations.

Without taking her hands out of the dishwater or even glancing my direction she would instill a better attitude, correct childish reasoning, or question a faulty plan. There was nothing so profound as to be written down; nothing so wise as to be quoted. Yet, lessons, dozens and dozens of lessons, life lessons, taught, repeated, and lived out in practice each day.

My purpose is not to glorify my mother, but to magnify the God-given role of motherhood.

The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy concerning the role of women, but his instruction is not widely accepted today, even in the church. Paul reminded Timothy of Eve’s place in the creation order, and also of the deception of Eve. It is clear in the creation narrative that things changed for women as a result of Eve’s sin, and that change remains in force today. Then Paul made a rather remarkable statement:

But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.

--1 Timothy 2:15

Surely, Paul was not referring to ‘labor and delivery’ but rather the role of motherhood. You see, God did not strike Eve down and call for a ‘do-over’ so that he could create a ‘new and improved’ Evelyn for Adam. God extended mercy to Eve and to all women in the role of motherhood.

‘Mom’ is one of the greatest influences, if not the greatest influence, on the life of every person. Mothers instill values deep within a child which will last a lifetime.

Dads, you have the responsibility of making sure your children love and honor their mother. Your task does not necessarily end after they leave home. Do your part to help your wife fulfill her role as mother.

Children, most of you have a mother who is there for you more than dad. In fact, it is easy to see her as usual, boring, and sometimes an obstacle to your otherwise exciting life. Thank God that she is there for your mundane, boring life, day after day after day. I’m serious, thank God for her. She...loves...you! God expects you to love and honor her...EVERY day, not just on Mothers' Day.

Moms, our society does not value the role of motherhood but promotes a self-serving attitude in women. Are you willing to agree with society’s thinking? Think about it. What is more important than the task of nurturing and instructing your own children in the Lord? 

Honor the Lord by taking very seriously your honorable God-given role as mother.

Mark Stinnett

May 10, 2026

Two Dads Are Just Fine??

The statement was displayed on a digital marquee in front of a local church building. I had to slow down and look again wondering if I had read it correctly at first. (You might want to sit down for this one.) The digital message came across in two parts:
   Jesus had two dads…
   And He turned out fine.

What were they thinking!? What were they trying to say!? Were they implying that Jesus was brought up in a home with a same-sex marriage!?

I paused and wondered if I had overreacted or misunderstood at first. I began thinking of plausible explanations for making such a statement. There were none.

The fact that we are currently living in a social and religious climate of tolerance toward homosexuality and same-sex marriage cannot be overlooked. Had the message been posted at another time, perhaps it would have suggested something different, but that is not the case.

So, I wondered whether the person posting the message intended for it to be understood in the context of same-sex marriage, or if perhaps he/she was simply trying to wake people up, initiate dialogue, or use sarcasm. Though trying to give the author the benefit of the doubt, I could not think of any reason that a person would post such a message. My conclusion was that the author was, at best, naïve or, at worst, foolish or insensitive.

I checked in with my teenage daughters: “What!? That’s terrible!” and “Are you kidding me!?” were their replies. My wife made a similar reply; so also a couple of friends. They all, like me, understood the message to promote tolerance for same-sex marriage.

Without a broader context the statement is sure to be understood in light of the current social and religious climate of tolerance. So, within this context, what does the ‘two dads’ statement imply?

• Jesus grew up in a home with two dads.
• ‘Two dads’ implies a same-sex marriage.
• Growing up in a home with ‘two dads’ has no adverse affect on kids. So, same-sex marriage is OK.
• Kids brought up in a home with a same-sex marriage might even turn out like Jesus.

Do you see the gross errors in the conclusion of the original statement? Even those who are tolerant of same-sex marriages should see the idiocy in the lack of reasoning. Consider:

• God and Joseph, the implied ‘two dads,’ were not married.
• God and Joseph were not even of the same nature. (God is spirit; Joseph was human.)
• Joseph was married to a woman, Mary, not God.
• Children who have ‘turned out fine’ do not indicate ‘fine parents.’ Some ‘turn out fine’ in spite of terrible parenting or difficult circumstances.

Christians, there are many things being written and spoken about same-sex marriage and homosexual relationships. Guard yourself from foolish statements like this one that pervert the truth and pull God down to the level of sinful man. Do not be naïve about gross misapplications of biblical truth by words that are cleverly pieced together in order to suggest contrived conclusions. The ‘two dads’ statement is misleading, to say the least. Not only do such statements fly in the face of common sense, they can draw you away from Jesus by confusing you with clever words. 

Be alert!

Mark Stinnett

May 3, 2026