In our lifetime, we have never seen as much division in our nation as we are right now. Outside of the Civil War our country faced over 150 years ago, this is likely THE most divisive time our nation has ever seen.

To say that this hasn’t impacted the Church, would be a gross understatement. Our families, churches, communities, businesses, workplaces, friend groups, and very society is fracturing over (among other things) matters of opinion.

Before continuing, let me make some things abundantly clear that are not matters of opinion, but fact:

  1. COVID-19 is a real, highly contagious, serious illness that can cause death.
  2. Racism of any form is evil- period. It should be called out as such.
  3. Racial equality is something that we as Christians should champion, strive for, and live out daily.
  4. We should all desire, seek, speak out for, and take actions toward justice for all.

Within and surrounding those 4 facts, there is no shortage of opinion.

The postmodern society we have lived in for the past 30+ years, though it did not embrace “Absolute Truth,” has taught us to respect and tolerate others’ views, opinions, and beliefs. If someone didn’t think, act, or believe like you did; you could still love them, respect them, and be in relationship with them- no matter what their “relative truth” was. The world was more “grey” back then (like 5 years ago).

The new society we are living in today has not yet been officially labeled, but we are definitely not in postmodernism any longer. Today’s society is no longer a society of relativism- e.g. “what’s true for you, is true for you, and I respect whatever your truth is…“. Today’s world is no longer “grey;” it is now very “black and white- e.g. “unless you have the same opinions, beliefs, or views as me, I can’t respect you, love you, or be in relationship with you…“.

As Christians, we do believe that there is “Absolute Truth-” Jesus is The Truth [Jn 14:6], God’s Word is Truth [Jn 17:17], and the Spirit reveals Truth [Jn 16:13]. So even though the postmodern society, that we no longer live in, didn’t believe in this absolute truth, there was tolerance shown for our truth. And as Christians who (are supposed to) respect all mankind as being created in the Image of God, though we didn’t believe in others’ relative truth, and had an “Absolute Truth” of our own, we were still able to respect, love, and be in relationship with people who didn’t think, act, or believe like us.

AND WE STILL SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

Today, the media determines what our society’s absolute truth should be. And many take whatever is said as just that- absolute truth– without actually doing research, thinking critically, and/or having real conversations with the sources and subjects of this absolute truth. If research, critical thinking, and conversations happen, we will learn that there are differing views from what media constantly feeds us, and that sometimes, the absolute truth we are being fed is not truth at all, or at minimum being portrayed and used to manipulate us and turn us against one another.

Do I think there is an evil organization of people who are purposefully lying to us, manipulating us, and trying to control us? I have no idea… But I am certain that our enemy, the devil, is “the father of all lies,” [Jn 8:44] a “roaring lion seeking whom he may devour” [1 Pet 5:8] , and a “thief that comes to kill steal and destroy” [Jn 10:10]. And the devil is at work in 2020 like we have not seen him at work in generations. He is stirring up strife and division with hopes of separating the Church, so that we cannot be as effective in our mission of going to make disciples of all nations [Matt 28:18-20]. Remember, it was Jesus that said the world would know that we are His Disciples, by our love for one another [Jn 13:35]- How are we doing with that?

So, if your brothers and sisters in Christ do not agree with you or see eye to eye with you on non-essential, open-fisted issues of the Christian Faith- You can love, respect, and be in relationship with them just like you can be with non-believers! You can listen to their concerns, views, and beliefs and they can listen to yours- Crazy idea, huh?! This is called dialogue, while the “black and white” world we live in only wants to scream the currently-established truth AT YOU, without giving you an opportunity to share yours. James 1:19 tells us to be “quick to listen and slow to speak.” We don’t have to shout at people with the “Absolute Truth” we possess in Christ or our opinions not essential to the Christian faith. But we do need to listen to people, love them, respect them, and seek relationship with them, so that we can earn the right to be heard when we do humbly speak “The Truth” [Eph 4:15]. And with this kind of love and respect, you may even be able to have conversations about your personal ideas, opinions, and views, as long as those things aren’t elevated above “The Truth” of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says:

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

In our current dialogue over global pandemics, racism, privilege, politics, police brutality, etc… I’m not sure we’re seeing a lot of this kind of love. I’m not even sure we’re having dialogue at all. Many of us our just shouting AT each other instead of talking WITH each other. Love expressed through dialogue can dive down into the depths of our hearts, heal us, and cover a multitude of sins [1 Pet 4:8]. Love believes all things (believes and trust the best of others). It doesn’t assume the worst. There is a lot of assumptions taking place right now. Those assumptions aren’t loving and they are not uniting. Assumptions, like the devil, divide and separate.

So, here’s a list of things I’d encourage you to consider during this divisive time we’re living in:

  1. Have dialogue with people- Especially those most impacted by the current cultural narratives. You’ll be surprised what you learn, and likely find out that not everyone believes whatever our culture deems as absolute truth.
  2. Think critically and do research- Sometimes data is presented in ways that elicit fear and drive a deeper wedge of division. [1 Chron 12:32; Acts 17:11; 2 Tim 2:15]
  3. LISTEN TO PEOPLE- Empathize. Try to understand their point of view or lived experiences. Love them, respect them, and seek relationship with them regardless if you agree or not. Your objective is not to prove someone wrong. It’s to love them and offer to them The Truth of Christ, not the truth of your opinion. [Jm 1:19]
  4. Step into the awkwardness and love someone who sees things differently than you. Love people that you normally make assumptions about- Love is an action. Show it! [1 Jn 4:7-12]
  5. Love your brothers and sisters in Christ- by this will the world know that we are His Disciples. [Jn 13:35]
  6. Every time you get frustrated with someone- Pray FOR them- Not that they would be struck by lightning, but that God would bless them! Praying for people changes your heart toward people. [Matt 5:44]
  7. Make sure that whatever idea, side, opinion, politician, or cultural phenomena you get behind lines up with the Word of God- Investigate. If it doesn’t, glean what’s good from those things, but do not support what’s not. [Phil 4:8]
  8. Keep “The Main Thing, The Main Thing-” The Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. [Rom 1:16]