Our country is so divided and I don’t just mean about Laurel and Yanny. (I hear both, btw. 🤷🏼♀️) We have become so entrenched in alliances that we alienate or make an enemy of those outside of our club. For those of us following Jesus we should know who our real enemy is. I guarantee he’s lurking in all the manmade political and ideological camps. He’s prowling around killing, stealing, and destroying (1 Peter 5:8, John 10:10). I find myself so burdened and convicted as I read and think through what Jesus says in the book of John.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."” John 13:34-35
How does Jesus love us? He laid down His life for us. He endured the shame of the cross for us. He was beaten and reviled for us. He now sits at the right hand of God interceding for those of us who have believed in Him as our King and Savior. Our shameful sin condemns us, but our loving Savior’s wounds redeem us. Oh how I praise Him for this truth!
Jesus did this for the Jew, the Gentile, the religious elite, the vilest sinner, the rich, and the poor. One day His followers from every, nation, tribe, language, and people group will worship Him together forever. This leaves me thinking: Who am I laying my life down for? Enduring hardship for and with? Praying for? Worshipping with? Just the easy people who look, talk, and think like me?
Brothers and sisters in Christ, we need each other across political lines, socioeconomic lines, and ethnic lines. We can sharpen each other, help each other see blind spots, and exemplify the merciful love we’ve received through Jesus. Not a flimsy feelings based love like the culture, but the sacrificial humble honest persevering love of our Savior.
Where do we even start? I think we can weep with those who are weeping. Empathize with those angry over evil and injustice. Seek to understand the viewpoint of someone else instead of jumping on our typical talking points to explain why we think they are wrong. View people first as children of God or those created in the image of God instead of the earthly labels we're quick to throw around. Let's seek to genuinely love one other and be eager to show respect (Romans 12:10). We can serve together - feed the hungry, help widows and orphans, advocate for justice, and in all of that share the good news of Jesus.
I'll leave this with some encouragement from Peter:
"Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and He will bless you for it." (1 Peter 3:8-9)