October 10, 2020
City on Our Knees
By TobyMac
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Corinthians 1:10
At our Thursday night “Center Church” Bible study we talked about the city, which got my brain jogging and made me think of the song, “City on Our Knees.” So of course, I have to use this song for today’s Selah Saturday! I also chose this song because there is so much division going on in in the world right now, and the message of “City on Our Knees” is one that is very timely and relatable to our present-day situations.
In his “behind the song” video, TobyMac says that “City on Our Knees” is, “about a moment—a moment that we all come together, and our differences fall by the wayside and love fills in the cracks, and we turn our attention on what unites us.”
There are so many things that are dividing us as a nation right now. Politics and the 2020 election, social justice concerns, and problems caused by the coronavirus are just a few examples of triggers for division in our communities. What I find most unfortunate however, is that division can also be found in the Church, in the Body of Christ. This can be caused by our opinions regarding the previously mentioned issues, or by differences in denominations, traditions, or biblical viewpoints.
Whatever the case may be, there is too much division going on in the world as is and the last thing America needs to see is division among Christians. We are supposed to be setting Jesus’ example of loving our neighbors. Our neighbors aren’t just our non-Christian friends and family, but our brothers and sisters in Christ as well. Our divisions, hypocrisy, and lack of love for one another is sure to turn people away from wanting to come to Christ and join our family.
Here at CPC, we are big fans of the song, “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love.” Jesus says in John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” We are entitled to our opinions and beliefs, but when they get in the way of loving those around us, maybe we need to rethink them or at least rethink how we treat others because of them.
“City on Our Knees” reminds us that we belong to a kingdom that will never be destroyed, one that is ruled by a king whose reign will be for eternity. It reminds us that it is important to put aside our differences and focus on what unites us, and what unites us is Jesus Christ. We must make the decision to step across the lines that divide us. As the song says, “We are one choice from together.”
“City on Our Knees” also challenges believers and non-believers alike to make a decision about following Christ. Throughout the lyric video that I will post below, there are visual and audio recordings of Billy Graham challenging listeners to make that decision. Christians are called to spread the Gospel and to invite others into the Kingdom of God. All of this requires an active and daily decision to serve and honor the Lord.
Part of serving and honoring the Lord is to show his love and be a light in a world that so desperately needs it. Let us put aside our differences and make the decision to love one another and be united in Christ Jesus. Choose, today, to be part of a city with one king, a city on our knees.
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15
