1 Peter 3:8-9 “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
One thing I think most Americans can agree upon: this election cycle has been a bear. We haven’t seen this amount of divisiveness since the Civil War (or at least the 60’s). A hungry media, high on click-bait but low on substance, has stoked our differences. We can no longer just disagree with people who think differently. We have to hate them in order to somehow justify our positions. It’s not surprising to see such behavior in the world.
But in the church?
Scripture doesn’t deny differences among believers. In fact, Paul says divisions are necessary in order to discover the truth (1 Corinthians 11:19). But the kind of vitriol fellow believers have been expressing toward one another these days should make us all hang our heads in shame. You can’t be a Christian if you vote for….! Really? How does it bring God glory when we mimic the world’s lack of compassion and humility? When we repay insult with insult? When, in our quest to be right, or relevant, or cool, we trample all over someone’s dignity?
I’m afraid the divisive spirit in the world has infiltrated the church. We have to stand against it. And the only way to do that is get back to our first love.
Jesus. Raise Jesus above politics. Jesus above careers. Jesus above family. And Jesus above culture. If we hope to be “like-minded” with other believers, as the Scripture exhorts us to be, we have to remember why we’re here. Jesus does not call us to show the world how to do life a little bit better. But to display a radically different way of doing life altogether. Like how to deal with people who disagree with us.
Sister, Brother, let’s not miss this opportunity to show the world the true cure for divisiveness. And trust me, it’s not going to happen by singing endless renditions of Imagine.
Dear Becky,
I LOVE your devotional, “Divided We Fall.” The message is both timely and on point. But those qualities are quite evident in all of your messages. Keep up the good work. You are an inspiration to many, many people.
Blessings to you and Chip,
Ken Bradley