Culture Warsنموونە

Unity

On the last night of his life, Jesus led a prayer that should serve as a guide when we navigate through the culture wars happening all around us. “I’m praying not only for them but also for those who will believe in me because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us” (John 17:20-21 MSG). Out of all of the things He could have prayed, knowing that the end was near, Jesus prayed for unity. He prayed that we would love each other. Why? Because, “this is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other” (John 13:35). 

How will the world know we are followers of Jesus? It won’t be because we agree on everything. It won’t be because we have an answer for every argument. It won’t be because of our political opinions. They will know we are His because we love each other. When we are as mad as everyone else on social media, inherently we lose our witness. We should be building a coalition, not tearing each other down. The church was designed to be an alternative to our culture, not to reflect it. Our responsibility, as followers of Jesus, is to show our divided world what it looks like to disagree with one another and to still live in unity. 

What does unity look like in the midst of the culture wars all around us? It’s choosing not to be offended. It’s choosing to focus on what we do have in common. It’s choosing people over any issue, however big or small it may seem. Let’s declare a ceasefire and represent Jesus so well that others want to know Him too!