Healing a Divided World: The Church's Call to Countercultural Unity
Earlier this week, I read an article about an 83-year-old woman in Edmonds who was arrested for punching two people who supported the "other candidate" just before the election. What surprised me most about the article was that I wasn't surprised. This sort of anger and violence feels baked into the cake, par for the course. Of course people, even elderly grandmas, are so mad that they're punching people.
There have been times when this sort of anger and violence have marked our nation, and even our churches. During Covid, a pastor friend of mine had people stand up and yell at him in the middle of a sermon because they disagreed with the church's Covid policies. Again, the surprising fact is that we aren't surprised by such behavior. It seems we've lost sight of a better way, a more Christ-like way to interact with those who hold different opinions.
The Bible calls us to a different life and a different love. In a world fractured by anger and division, the church has the opportunity, and the responsibility, to be a beacon of hope and healing. But how can we, as followers of Christ, live out this countercultural unity and be peacemakers in a world that seems determined to tear itself apart?
The Gospel Changes Conflict
In Matthew 5:21-26, Jesus challenges us to go beyond simply avoiding murder and address the root of conflict: anger, contempt, and unresolved disputes. He calls us to be peacemakers, to actively pursue reconciliation with our brothers and sisters, even if it means interrupting our worship to do so. This is a radical departure from the world's way of handling disagreements, which often involves escalating tensions, seeking revenge, or simply withdrawing into our own echo chambers.
The Gospel changes everything, including how we approach conflict. When we understand the depth of God's forgiveness towards us, we are empowered to extend that same forgiveness to others. As C.S. Lewis said, "To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you."
Becoming a Peacemaker: The 4 G's of Conflict
So how can we practically live out this call to be peacemakers? Here are four guiding principles from Ken Sande’s book “The Peacemaker”: the 4 G's of Conflict, that can help us navigate disagreements in a way that honors God and promotes healing:
Glorify God: In any conflict, our primary goal should be to glorify God, not to win or be vindicated. This requires a shift in perspective, from focusing on being right to focusing on reflecting God's grace.
Get the Log Out of Your Own Eye: Before addressing the speck in someone else's eye, we need to acknowledge the log in our own. This involves honestly examining our own hearts, identifying any idols or selfish desires that may be fueling the conflict, and taking responsibility for our part in the problem.
Gently Restore: Reconciliation requires humility, patience, and a willingness to listen. It's not about attacking or overpowering the other person, but about gently restoring the relationship. This involves choosing the right time and place to talk, listening carefully, speaking with kindness, and recognizing our limits.
Go and Be Restored: The ultimate goal is not just a ceasefire or a grudging truce, but true restoration. This means actively pursuing love, friendship, and a renewed relationship.
Unity, Not Uniformity
It's important to remember that unity doesn't mean uniformity. As Conrad Mbewe points out in his article on "Unity Is Not the Same as Total Agreement," we can be united in Christ even while disagreeing on non-essential matters. The key is to focus on the Gospel, the core of our faith, and to strive together for its advancement.
The Church's Role in a Divided World
In a world where anger and division seem to be the norm, the church has the opportunity to be a powerful force for healing and reconciliation. By embracing the Gospel's message of forgiveness and love, and by practicing the 4 G's of conflict, we can demonstrate a different way of interacting with those who hold different opinions. We can be peacemakers, bridge-builders, and agents of healing in a world that desperately needs it.
This is not an easy task, but it is a vital one. As followers of Christ, we are called to be salt and light in the world, to shine God's love into the darkness. In a time of deep division, let us be known for our love, our forgiveness, and our commitment to unity. Let us be the church that heals, not divides.
In His Grace;
Pastor Tim
