FROM THE PULPIT: LINCOLN WANTED TO SAVE THE UNION

One of the holidays we celebrate this month is that of Abraham Lincoln's birthday. He is best known for being our 16th president, and author of the Gettysburg Address. Commander-in-chief during the Civil War, Lincoln saw clearly the need to preserve the American Union. He wanted to secure freedom for slaves, to be sure, but in conduct of his office, and of the war, foremost on his mind was to preserve the Union.

The story of Balaam in the Bible provides an interesting glimpse of another who "saw clearly." Balaam was the prophet hired by Balak, Moab's king, to curse Israel, who blessed Israel instead. He did this because the spirit of the Lord would not let him curse Israel, but put words of blessing in his mouth. (You can read the story in Numbers 22-25). Once Balaam figured out God's will, he described himself as "one who sees clearly."

The Bible tells us much of God's will. Do we see clearly? Are we reconciled with God, and with one another? "He who does not love others, who he can see, how can he love God, whom he has not seen?" asks the apostle John. (1 John 4:20) Do we see God's great love for us, who "wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4)

Lincoln's second inaugural speech included the memorable, and noble phrase, "with malice toward none, and charity toward all." This should be our Christian attitude malice to none and charity (love) to all. After all, the second half of the Great Commandment says, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." (Mark 12:28-30)

When we see clearly that God's way is the way of love, we will drop our prejudices and pride and live in harmony with one another. Lincoln strove to preserve the unity of America; let us strive to preserve the unity of all Christians, unity based on love.

Rev. Kiehl is pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Pocahontas.