Divided

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:1-7 ESV).

I want to focus on a part of our reading today as it relates to so much of our culture today. It is the encouragement of the Apostle Paul for the church to be united: “…that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 6). Now, a little disclaimer… perhaps today’s thought is merely an overreaction on my part. However, I would remind you that the apostle wrote about this problem almost two millennia ago, and it seems to linger into our present world today as much or more than ever. My reference point is not just the individual church “factions.” Those have been with us since the beginning (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:10). It seems to have become more personal. The attacks and name-calling have always been a part of the arsenal of weapons in the divisions, but social media now makes it possible to be much more personal. The problem with that is how much it hurts the message of grace. Though we need not agree about everything, the Bible emphasizes that followers of Jesus Christ should demonstrate unity. We can achieve this by following the example of Jesus as we serve one another. We should pray that God will give us “the same attitude of mind toward each other that Jesus Christ had.” We should also praise God for the privilege of Christian relationships. This will bring glory to God. So, what can we do? Well, two things come to my mind. Before you press “post” or “send” read your words from the perspective of what they might do to the individual and those that read it. Will it really call grace into a sharper focus, or will it further the divide? The goal is not to win the argument. In fact, it is not to win at all. Even if we had the strength to be victorious, which we don’t (cf. Romans 3:23; 6:23), our victory is only in Jesus. I want to do everything I can to speak that message. I don’t always succeed, but I pray I get better with age and wisdom. That bring me to second thing you can do: pray before responding to anyone or anything. That little pause could make the difference in someone else’s eternity!