Jesus prays for unity for those who would be called His followers. He portrays it as one of the ways that the world will know that God sent him. Yet one looks around the United States and you see division, violence, and hate. Are we a Christian nation? Or at least a nation full of followers of Jesus? If we are, how does so much division exist?
My Way
We have more access to information and sources of information than any time in history before us. The reality of all of the information or data is simply overwhelming. You might imagine that such access and level of information would create a sensation of knowing how much we don’t know. Instead of doubting what we can know as true, we have pushed hard in the opposite direction. We are convinced we are right. And we are dug in. Anyone who disagrees is wrong and either misinformed or quite possibly unintelligent. Or maybe they are all just fools. My way or the highway when it comes to following God.
Whatever happened to pride coming before the fall? It could be that we are not much better off than the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. They proclaimed to know a way but missed the Way. In one of His harshest reflections on the religious leaders of His people, Jesus referred to them as bedazzled graves. All shiny and for show on the outside, but nothing but rot and death on the inside. The Pharisees were convinced that they were so right in their view of God that they simply missed God in their presence. When Jesus interrupted their customs and rituals, they couldn’t pivot away from believing they were right. Convinced they were on God’s side, they proclaimed God’s Son was at best a demon.
Practicing Division
It is a social fact that one way to create unity is to create a common enemy. It can be used in benign ways (the “Miracle on Ice“) or destructive ways. In reaction to the world moving from the modern to the post-modern, many religious leaders went all in on how right they were. Perhaps not explicitly stated, but certainly it was implied, that correct theology was the key to salvation. And for those who weren’t part of your church or your church’s denomination, well, they were most likely lost in their error. Preachers and teachers became convinced they had the true interpretation and any other interpretations were considered wrong. And leaders have to double down, because admitting that there was something you might not know was akin to being a heretic. As good Christians, you unified against all the other bad actors out in the world.
And it has spread far beyond the realm of church. Political parties are filled with us versus them narratives. If you are in the opposite party, we have no problem in today’s world to call you an enemy. And in many cases, believe that those enemies are trying to destroy or take over America. And these are American citizens, not foreign combatants. Such division is used in selling ads, creating whole cable channels, finding new folk heroes, and helping presidents be elected. We practice it in today’s world with unrestrained glee. We allow division to dehumanize our neighbors and our fellow countrymen and women. Yet Jesus softly calls from history, telling us to love our enemies. Too often we simply love to hate our enemies, regardless of what Jesus taught.
Taking a Look in the Mirror
I have painted a pretty starkly dark picture of where things stand. Some of these things may have been overstated, but I am afraid of the points where I may have not gone far enough. As you read those words above, allow them to be a mirror to your heart. And I pray that God would allow those words to begin to soften your heart where it is hardened in these areas. I know I need that reminder, especially when the world seems to be about to spin chaotically out of control. May we be people of love and reject the culture of anger and hate. Fear is a powerful foe, but God reminds us that His perfect love casts out all fear.
One word of caution before moving on. This is not an argument for all beliefs that one may have. There are things that I believe are essential to be part of any serious pursuit of Jesus. Those essentials are an important discussion to have, but not in the scope of this blog. Holding on to your beliefs with a confident faith and a humble heart is essential to walking in unity. But weaponizing questions, doubts, or differences of opinion is not.
Practicing Unity in Jesus
When I was in college, I used to attend a worship service made up of three different college populations. The speaker has gone on to become one of the more famous pastors. But one thing that he said more than twenty years ago has stuck with me. At the time, there was a lot of debate around Calvinism. And he shared his response when someone asked about his view on Calvinism. He returned that question with a question asking when was the last time that person had told someone about Jesus. The question about Calvinism was concerned with being right in terms of knowledge. The question about Jesus was a question of being right in how you lived out your faith. Not that there is anything wrong with having an intellectual conversation, but for me, it was a reminder of what mattered. To know God and make Him known.
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul declared that you could get all the right answers and have all the right knowledge, but still miss the point. If you have the right answers but don’t have love, what good is it? I fear that we have become much too knowledgeable. But there is good news! Jesus is even now inviting us to be co-laborers in His work. We are called to be cities on the hills and lights in dark places. Paul shares that we can shine like the stars in the midst of the darkest of nights.
The Way Forward
If you ask, Jesus will break up even the hardest of hearts and prepare the way for you to love your enemies. Our minds can be renewed each day, in such a way, that political parties lose significance compared to loving God and loving people. There are so many good things about following Jesus that we can share with our friends, neighbors, and enemies. Set aside your dependence on “My way” and instead follow the one who is “The Way”. Our world is desperate for those who would be one in following Jesus. Will you join, unified with your fellow believers as you live for God?
So let me ask you this, when was the last time you talked to someone about knowing Jesus?
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