It has been noted by more than one observer that 11 a.m. on Sunday morning is the most segregated time in America. The point such comments reveal is that though we, as followers of Christ, are of one family lineage, all too often, we divide ourselves along lines of differences when unifying our community around our common faith would be more pleasing to God and more beneficial to us.

The Egyptians, among whom Joseph lived, practiced a form of separation and division as well. 10 of Joseph’s brothers were visiting him after having traveled considerable distance over no doubt difficult terrain. Yet Joseph, according to the Egyptian custom, separated himself from the family he’d not seen in a very long time simply because of an ethnic difference.

In many of our churches, we still practice the art of division today. We divide over race, culture, socioeconomic status, gender, age and even educational background. We divide over church position, social affiliation, geographic birth place, spiritual maturity and sexual orientation. But, division in the church is not all bad. Believe it or not, in some instances, division is actually the will of God for His people. For this reason, it behooves us to take a brief look at division, unity, and God’s perspective on both as they affect our experience in our churches today.