We are a nation divided.
We have been for a long time, and we are divided in many ways, not just
Trump v. Hillary. In the church, as members
of the Body of Christ, we are sadly not that different in our division over the
same issues. We were called to be one in
Jesus, and yet we are often divided over any number of issues (beliefs, church
doctrine, political affiliation, biblical interpretation, dog people vs. cat
people, the list goes on and on).
Yet, as Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians,
[Jesus] is our peace; in his flesh he has made both
groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility
between us. He has abolished the law
with its commandments and ordinances, so that he might create in himself one
new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both
groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that
hostility through it. (Ephesians 2:14-16)
Paul was writing about the initial division in the church
between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians. He said we are one. He said Jesus has broken down the dividing
wall of hostility between us.
Why then, do we keep building it back up?
Well, fear plays into why we allow hostility to
continue. So does being hurt by the
other. In short, as much as we have been
redeemed by Jesus, we are still broken and are still constantly in need of
Jesus’ healing and restoration. We still
break each other out of our brokenness and are still constantly in need of
Jesus’ forgiveness and reconciliation.
People on both sides of the presidential election were doing
their best to make a choice that is right for this country. That is the way of Jesus.
Some people on both sides have said and done hateful and
hurtful things, and as the Body of Christ, our joy is to get to offer grace to
those who have hurt us and those we love.
Offering grace is the way of Jesus.
People on both sides of the presidential election have been
vilified, condescended to, and told what
to do by folks the other side. As
disciples of Jesus, we have the joy to get to offer compassion, empathy, and
hear the stories of people who are tired of being vilified and condescended
to. Offering compassion, empathy, and
hearing people’s stories is the way of Jesus.
Many people who voted for President-Elect Trump are joyful
that he won. Many people who voted for
Secretary Clinton are fearful that she lost.
As disciples of Jesus, we get to be curious and find out why. We get to continually break down the dividing
wall between us.
Remember that the first dividing wall between two people was
made of fig leaves. Adam and Eve, once
they disobeyed God, were no longer naked and unashamed. Instead, they were ashamed and fearful. They hid, and put a dividing wall between
themselves and between them and God: fig
leaves and accusations of blame and passing the buck.
The way of the Gospel of Jesus is to be naked and
unashamed. The way of Jesus is to be
fully who we are with each other and to let the grace of Jesus dwell in our
hearts to allow us to see and love each other as we are, rather than as we
think the other should be.
So, we get to be curious.
We get to ask each other, “Why did you vote for Trump/Clinton?” Then, we get to listen. We get to listen and not be right, not assume
anything, and not give a response - other than “thank you.”. We get to simply see the human being in front
of us and remember the image of God in which they were made, the grace of Jesus
which redeems, and the Holy Spirit which dwells within them.
We get to remove our fig leaves and embrace each other as
brother and sister, for that is the way of Jesus.
Be kind to others, and love those of whom you are most
afraid. Remember, the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Let no evil talk come out of your mouth, but only what is
useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to
those who hear...be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another
as God in Christ has forgiven you.
Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.
Let humility, compassion, and love rule in your heart.
Blessings and peace to you all.
Brad+
1 comment:
Amen.
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