Unity Brings Progress Into Every Aspect of Human Life
A sermon by the Rev . Edward Akotey
Lessons : Genesis 13:1-12 ; New Jerusalem 187-188
Please let there be no strife between you and me , and my herdsmen and your herdsmen ; for we are brethren . Is not the whole land before you ? Please separate from me . If you take the left , then I will take the right ; or if you go to the right , then I will go to the left . ( Genesis 13:8-9 )
These are the words of Abram , which he spoke many years ago , and they reveal human inclinations to conflict . Today , we can see many conflicts in the world : some are between nations , political parties , ethnic groups , religious groups , families , husbands and wives , all around the world . Indeed , some of the conflicts are so dangerous that they can negatively affect the normal life of people .
In the past , the world experienced conflicts such as first and second world wars , which led to the death of millions of innocent people . The question is : what causes conflict in our societies , and how can these conflicts be resolved peacefully ?
To answer these questions it must be understood that in human societies conflict can quickly break out when one section of society criticizes or opposes the good works of the other . The constructive criticisms or oppositions often cause disagreement among people . This is because the Lord created every individual human being differently and that we all think and act differently from one another . Individual differences of the mindset and character are some of the basic reasons we approach issues relating to our development differently .
In Arcana Coelestia we are instructed that : “ For there cannot be in the universe one thing that is exactly like another , and that subsists in a distinct way ; it must be various , that is , different from all others , in order that it may be anything by itself .” ( Arcana Coelestia 9002 )
As a result of how the Lord created us differently from one another , if
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