Greetings, Trinity Grace:
I don’t know about you, but I am more than a little burdened by everything going on in our country right now.
The increase of COVID-19 positive cases & deaths. The continued expressions of prejudice & racism. The sweeping & unqualified criticism of police & law enforcement. The hard & yet not fully known toll of the pandemic on our economy. The name-calling & finger-pointing from both sides of the political aisle. And so on.
I don’t know the answer to many of these questions for our country. They are very complex. And they are above my pay grade!
But I am increasingly burdened that what we need as a church is unity.
It would be very easy to form lines according to where we stand on these issues.
Do we believe wearing masks is an expression of others-focused love or white-knuckled fear? Do we believe systemic racism is a reality or a myth? Do we believe systemic police brutality is a fact or fiction? Do we believe many of these concerns are huge opportunities for all of us or just the latest example of the liberal left trying to push President Trump out of office?
It would be very easy for us to form lines according to where we stand & for disunity to quickly divide us.
But that would not honor God.
And it would not stand out in our divided culture.
Our culture says: Unity = Uniformity.
Anyone who is truly united with us must agree with us & not question us on anything personal or important to us.
The Bible says: Unity = Diversity Under Jesus.
We are united together through the blood of Jesus Christ alone—not our race, culture, background, wealth, gifting, political positions, or anything else. As Ephesians 2:18 says, “For through [Jesus] we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.”
This type of unity doesn’t make sense to the world. It’s something the world cannot understand!
Yet it is a unity we are called to protect & proclaim. As Ephesians 4:3 says, “[Be] eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
So, how do we protect & proclaim unity?
By listening well & trying hard to understand those who think differently than us.
By being very careful with what & how we post on social media, at all times but especially on divisive issues.
By not repeating gossip or slander. And refusing to critically judge the motives of others.
By not running away when relationships get tough. Or when someone disagrees with us. But by working through conflict & disagreement with humility & patience.
By encouraging & honoring others. And not being threatened when they do things better than us!
By remembering what we share in common—salvation by grace alone!—& remembering that it is the most important thing.
And so much more.
I love all the many ways God is creating a truly united church among us. And I pray he does so more & more, as we walk together with humility & patience in the midst of a divided world.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Walt