Have you ever found yourself sorting people into categories based on their beliefs? Do you tend to gravitate towards those who think like you and avoid those who don't? In our increasingly divided world, it's easy to fall into the trap of "us vs. them" thinking. But as followers of Christ, we're called to a higher standard – one that challenges us to make every effort to live in peace with everyone, even those with whom we disagree.
In our recent sermon series, "Make Every Effort," we've been exploring how to maintain our relationships and faith in the face of divisive issues. Today, I want to focus on a powerful instruction from the Apostle Paul found in Romans 12:18: "Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone."
The Challenge of Unity in Diversity
Before we dive into Paul's teachings, let's consider the reality we face. Monica Guzman, in her book "I Never Thought of It That Way," describes our natural tendencies:
"We humans are social creatures, and sorting, othering and siloing gives us comfort when things are crazy. We want affirmation. We want clear friends and enemies. Who's with us and who's against us?"
This desire for comfort and affirmation can lead us to surround ourselves with like-minded individuals, creating echo chambers that reinforce our beliefs and biases. But is this what God intends for us?
Jesus’ Prayer for Unity
In John 17, we find Jesus' longest recorded prayer in Scripture. In this prayer, Jesus makes a profound request for His followers:
"I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one" (John 17:21).
Jesus' desire for His followers is not sorting, othering, and siloing, but unity. This unity doesn't mean conformity or agreement on every issue. Instead, it's about finding ways to live in harmony despite our differences.
Three Strategies for Living in Peace
So how do we practically live out this call to peace, especially when faced with significant disagreements? Let's look at three strategies drawn from Paul's teachings in Romans 14:
1. Stop Condemning and Start Considering
Paul writes in Romans 14:13, "So let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall."
When we disagree with someone, our first impulse might be to condemn their viewpoint. Instead, Paul challenges us to consider their perspective. As Stephen Covey famously said, we should "seek first to understand, then to be understood." This doesn't mean we have to agree, but it does mean we should approach differences with curiosity and empathy rather than judgment.
2. Decrease Privilege and Increase Responsibility
In Romans 14:15, Paul reminds us, "If another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don't let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died."
While Paul was addressing specific food-related conflicts in the early church, the principle applies broadly. As followers of Christ, we're called to a higher standard in how we interact with others. This might mean limiting our freedom of expression if it causes harm to others. For example, "If your social media post is offensive, you might need to take it down. If the hat that you're wearing is offensive, you might need to take it off."
This isn't about suppressing our beliefs or opinions, but about expressing them in ways that don't needlessly alienate or hurt others.
3. Ignore Impulse and Embrace Discernment
Finally, Paul advises in Romans 14:23, "If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning."
Living peacefully with others requires more than just willpower or temporary restraint. It demands that we internalize Christ's teachings and allow them to shape our impulses and reactions. This is where spiritual practices like prayer, Bible study, and fellowship become crucial. They help us develop the discernment needed to navigate complex relational situations with grace and wisdom.
Putting It Into Practice
As we approach contentious issues and elections, remember that relationships are more important than rights. There may be many things we can do or say, but not all of them are beneficial for building peace and unity.
Here are some practical steps to consider:
- Before posting on social media, pause and consider how it might impact others.
- When disagreeing with someone, try to understand their perspective before arguing your point.
- Look for common ground with those who hold different views.
- Prioritize maintaining relationships over winning arguments.
Remember, it's possible to have relationships with those who eat differently, vote differently, and believe differently than we do. As we make every effort to live in peace, we reflect Christ's love to a divided world and contribute to the unity Jesus prayed for among His followers.
Let's challenge ourselves to stop condemning and start considering, decrease privilege and increase responsibility, and ignore impulse while embracing discernment. In doing so, we can be peacemakers in our families, communities, and beyond.