Our beloved nation is dividing even as I write these words. “Dividing” may be a term too mild, since we actually seem to be polarizing at extreme distances from our fellow citizens.
Jesus observed for us that a house divided cannot stand. What is a Christian to do?
We are to do as our Lord taught us to do; speak the truth in love. Jesus exampled this for us, his apostle wrote it to the church, and now we are to live it out openly.
If I may offer some fundamentals that have helped me when discussing things with folks who choose to be antagonistic and hateful:
· Speak the truth – Jesus asked his Father for his followers, “Sanctify them in truth, your word is truth” (John 17:17) – Think about it; if we do not respect truth, what basis will there be for respecting each other?
· Love those you address – “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1st Corinthians 13:1). Jesus came to win souls, not arguments. Refuse the temptation to be rude, demeaning or condescending to others. As Jesus asked, if we love only those who love us, how are we any different from the world?
· Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33) – Leave to others, any arguments that do not affect the promotion of God’s values.
· Be totally objective in your reasoning – The point of argument is to resolve what is right and not who is right. Refuse to allow your passions to mislead you.
· Insure what you say is accurate – Even when you are being honest, you can be honestly wrong. Check your facts both before you speak and also before you accept what others say as truth.
· Let God work – Not everything is up to you. Every individual with whom you discuss the issues of life has the same responsibility to seek truth as you and is loved and sought by God as much as he loves and seeks you. Paul said that we may plant or water, but it is God who gives the increase (1st Corinthians 3:6).
· Allow time for truth to work – People seldom change their minds overnight. I know I don’t.
Never give up – When God’s prophet, Jeremiah, tried to stop speaking because of the persecution he endured, he said God’s word became in him like a fire in his bones (Jeremiah 20:9) and he became tired of holding it in. Never stop teaching the truth in love.