In 1985, song artists Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson created one of the world’s largest collaborations ever. They brought song artists from many different genres to form what they called the USA for Africa Project and raised 50 million dollars for hunger in Africa.
Perhaps you remember the song or video “We Are the World”.
My, how our world has changed. Since Covid 19 struck, Americans have argued over:
- Length of Covid closings
- The wearing of masks
- Vaccinations
- Elections and voter fraud
- Police brutality
- If churches should be closed or open
- Roe vs. Wade
Where has it gotten us? Arguing only divides Americans, and most Christians.
Which world do you prefer?
With so much hate and division in the news and on social media, is it even possible to unite with those who believe differently than us? I mean, they disagree with us at best and hate us at worst?
I believe so.
In fact, I know there are ways to stick together when someone’s opposing views make me come unglued on the inside. Being a pastor’s wife has taught me this. (it’s okay to laugh)
Unity is Possible
Unity wasn’t possible, our forefathers wouldn’t have named us the “United States of America”. In fact, unity was thought to be possible because our pledge of allegiance referred to our nation as indivisible, which is only possible through. Being united.
More importantly, God believes in unity. Not only does He believe in it but promotes it in the Bible in the entire book of Ephesians.
The main way Christians are united is through Christ as stated in Ephesians 1:3.
What is Unity?
Due to my blindness, I get most of my definitions from Alexa. So according to the dictionary she uses, unity is defined as the state of being one; oneness.
When I think of a state of being in one, I think of 120 people who were in one accord in the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost in the Bible. One accord meant they were in unity.
It did not mean they believed exactly the same on every issue and thought. They were unified by one purpose – to wait on the Holy Spirit to be sent.
This refers to conversations with other Christians.
What is someone believes differently?
The same holds true then, too. That is why I like Rick Renner’s description of unity.
He explains unity occurs when people are united in action and in passion for a common cause. Their shared goal is so strong that it removes hostilities, puts away disagreements, and gives previously divided people a reason to take their place alongside each other.
Passion Gives Power to Triumph over Differences.
Think of Black Lives Matter, Pro-Life or Pro-Choice, liberals or conservatives, or any organization believing in a cause. Each member is passionate about the cause, rather than the age, sexual orientation, religion, or anything else about its member. All is set aside for one purpose.
They are in unity, even if they don’t agree on parenting values, work values, religion, or anything else.
When I worked in disaster relief, people of all beliefs and ages flock together to rescue the hurting. No one refused to pass by a victim because they were poor, rich, young, old, or to ask them if they were a Jew or Hindu in faith. They didn’t even ask what political party they belong to.
Instead, people work side by side, regardless of opposing opinions and beliefs by focusing on the important matter at hand – saving lives and bringing restoration to mankind.
As this happens, different gifts and talents become connected together. The result is an amazing power, achieving the supernatural and accomplishing the impossible.
When you focus on the passion you share, whether humanitarian, doctrinal, or political, you can stick together. If you allow yourself to be sidetracked by discussing controversial topics with the person working beside you, it might unglue you.
Why Christians Need to Stick Together
United we stand and divided we fall is an old saying that still holds true today.
When the first church began, it held both born-again Jews and Gentiles. If they had focused on their differences only, the early church would have been obliterated.
Being unified by their common belief in salvation in Christ, they could worship together. As time went on, differences were allowed to divide them into other churches, but not to the extent the church was wiped out.
Not all Christians believe the same today either, and that is okay, for we all come to the cross with different experiences and knowledge, giving different interpretations of scripture. The important thing is that we believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Preservation of the church is of vital importance, but if we don’t stay united in Christ, others won’t make it to heaven.
We need to believe God’s love is powerful and we should witness to everyone this love to draw them into His Kingdom so they, too, might live eternally with Him.
Why then is it that we get caught up in worldly disputes? We need the world to know we can stick together even when our brothers or sisters in Christ make us want to come unglued.
How Christians Can Stick Together
•The Bible is and should always be our foundation. Opinions should never triumph over Biblical truths.
• We need a close relationship with Christ to love the lost with a passionate heart.
• We need to quit acting like the world and react as Christ would. In other words, remember we’re the light of Jesus shining in a dark world before reacting in anger or any other emotion.
• We are brothers and sisters, even if we worship differently, govern differently, or blow our noses differently. As long as we agree Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and come to the Father through Him, we need to get along.
• Always remember, our actions can lead others to Christ or push them farther away. Do you really want to turn more Christians away from church or God?
What should we do instead?
5 Ways to Stick Together When Becoming Unglued
- Remember we are servants of the most High first and foremost – before we are a certain political party, before our ethnicity, or even before the denomination we attend.
- Ask God for wisdom and seek the truth instead of trusting one news source or one person on the radio for facts. As a writer, I know how words can be altered to slant the truth.
- Prayerfully consider when to speak and when to remain silent. Proverbs 12:16 tells us wise men stay calm when insulted. Let’s be wise.
- God requires us to live peacefully among men and give mercy – even forgive those who offend. They don’t know Jesus and won’t ever, if we act like or worse than them.
5. Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger (James 1:19-20)
Tips on having healthy discussions:
Going into a conversation with the intent to hear the other person’s point of view, lays the foundation for a future friendly relationship.
These tips aren’t meant for conversations with strangers, unless the Lord leads. Many times we aren’t to converse at all, but when you do, follow these tips.
*Compliment or acknowledge something good about the other person, like how passionate they are, how they aren’t afraid to speak out, or how they explain things well. Common ground – that is the tactic the Apostle Paul used many times (1 Cor. 9:22-23).
*Let them know you understand as much as you can, how they may feel. Simply saying, “I see” occasionally goes a long way, or “That makes sense.”
*Listen more to their heart and show you are an engaged listener with your body language – keep eye contact, lean forward, and don’t be tapping your foot impatiently.
*Don’t interrupt. Speak little. If you need to, take notes so you can address what they brought up later on.
*As you listen, resist the urge to start creating your defense in your brain. This leads to an explosive response. Witness wasted and relationship has to start over.
When you show the grace to acknowledge them and listen, then you will have a more willing audience to listen to you when you share your point of view.
The goal in conflict isn’t to be right but to behave righteously.
Thanks for caring about our future. Please share this with a friend so our world will become more united.
To grow your own faith, consider grabbing a copy of “Faith Illustrated”.
© 2023, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
Beverly Stance says
This was very good article.