If there’s one thing we can agree upon it would be that 2020 has been a challenging year. We see a nation (and church) divided over some serious matters. Concerns over the coronavirus, a fallen economy, job losses and the “new normal” have given us all a punch to the gut. Everyone feels it, but in different ways.
I’ve been engaged in multiple conversations lately. Those I’ve talked to simply want to be heard and understood, even if we don’t agree on everything. I have found that listening goes a long way with most folks. It shows you care more about them than your opinions.
Let’s face it, the specifics surrounding this pandemic aren’t so cut and dry. Our information sources and policy makers haven’t been the most consistent. On one hand, we’re told that gatherings for protesters are safe even without masks or social distancing. On the other hand, were told that gatherings for worshippers are unsafe regardless of masks or social distancing. Those who assert this also claim hydroxychloroquine is unsafe. Other medical experts say it’s not only safe but effective in treating coronavirus. These mixed messages lead each of us to draw our own conclusions. When such is the case, we land on separate sides of the fence with unique sets of concerns. One side wants their health protected while the other wants their rights protected, and so on.
Personally, I have yet to take a solid position on the effectiveness of face masks or the use of hydroxychloroquine as a cure for covid. I’m still weighing the facts, which is hard to do for reasons already mentioned. I will say I am opposed to censorship when it comes to opinions that differ from the company line. But I’m more concerned about the hard line drawn in the sand between fellow believers.
These enemy lines need to be removed. With love and grace, I believe they can be. I’m not suggesting we don’t have a real enemy. But it’s not your brother or sister. It’s that roaring lion, the devil, who seeks to devour us. What better way than to divide us? Not only is there a real enemy, there is a real battle being waged, not with flesh and blood, but against principalities and “spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
Spiritual battles require specific armor. Our feet must be shod with the gospel of peace. We also need the shield of faith. Then there’s the sword of the Spirit, the word of God. (See Ephesians 6) With these we are well suited for fighting against the very source of evil. But fighting amongst each other leaves us wide open for enemy attack, because these fights can only be fought in the flesh.
The need is great for the family of God to unite as one. We must look beyond nonessential differences and stand together in what we do have in common in Christ, the Captain of our salvation. Let’s take our marching orders from Him:
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” John 15:1214
Let us also be mindful of the prayer Jesus prayed shortly before His arrest:
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”John 17:20-21
How is it possible for the world to believe in Jesus when we’re divided? Is my stance on current affairs worth losing my testimony over? A major part of winning spiritual battles is winning souls. Our togetherness plays a key role in that. And every win for the Kingdom is a loss for Satan.
We may stand on different sides of various matters, but we can still stand together with Jesus. He prayed that we would do so. May we all do our part in being answers to His prayer.
