Today I want to specifically talk to those of us who identify as being Christ-followers. Our first allegiance, if we are Christ-followers is to Christ. Not country. And if I am in Christ, I am unified with the body of Christ. You are automatically in the same family as others who are in Christ.
I have been a bit overwhelmed by the massive difference of opinions I see amongst the Church in America. People who believe the exact opposite of you can use the SAME Bible you're using and rely on the SAME Holy Spirit, and reach a completely DIFFERENT conclusion. And, you know, that's actually okay. Shocking, right? I'm not talking about those who twist Biblical truth to fit their belief or lifestyle. I'm talking about the implications made by Scripture. Someone may reach a different implication than you. Or the way they apply a Biblical principle to their life may look different. This concept is as old as the Bible itself and we see the idea of people reaching varying conclusions based on the implications of Scripture all the way back in the early days of the Church.
I'm currently reading a book by Larry Osbourne called Accidental Pharisee. In it, he spends a portion of the book talking about this very important distinction between unity and uniformity, which really struck me as I was thinking about all that's happening in our world today. Here's what He says about the family of God:
In the same way, if I'm saved and you're saved (even if I think you barely snuck in), we're family. It doesn't matter if we don't like each other, if we vehemently disagree on all the big issues of the day, or if we've set up warring camps to fight over ancient controversies. We're stuck with each other. We have to learn to get along. We're united by Jesus, not by choice. And nothing is going to change that.
Many times we inadvertently try to replace Biblical unity with a less-than-appealing counterfeit called uniformity. Jesus didn't ask us to be uniformed in all of our thinking and behavior, He asked us to be united. He prayed we would be one, but didn't pray we would be all the same.
We have to learn to get along.
I think one of the most important keys in the United States right now and in the Church for navigating every divisive issue of the day is a simple word: empathy. Small word, big impact. Easy to understand, difficult to live.
Empathy simply means the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
We are typically so quick to demonize the view that opposes ours that we don't give a second thought to what the people who support that view may be thinking or feeling. There's a better way to have these discussions.
Say your piece, but then seek peace.
Here's what I'm not saying: Tolerate everything and let's just talk about rainbows and butterflies. Heck, no. Our differences are actually what can create beauty in our world. It's important to have friends that aren't exactly like you. Your church should be full of people who aren't exactly like you. We don't need a Church of uniformity, but we do desperately need a Church that is unified. That bears with one another. That empathizes. That seeks to understand.
There is plenty of room for healthy discussion and dialogue. In fact, it's desperately needed. But what we need to stop making room for is demonizing opposing views, vehemently judging people who aren't like us, long non-face-to-face dialogue, and assuming anyone who doesn't see it from our side must not really be a Christian or must not have really studied the Scripture.
Say your piece, but then seek peace.
The Bible says the world will recognize us by our love for one another. It's difficult to love people you are demonizing. It's difficult to love someone you think is completely fallen off their rocker. So try to empathize. Try to listen more than you speak. Try to understand and share their feelings. Dialogue together.
Say your piece, but then seek peace.
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