Fighting for Unity in a Divided WorldSýnishorn

Fighting for Unity

Today, let’s talk specifically about politics. The gravitational pull toward political extreme is strong—to the point where it has become frighteningly easy to let our politics inform our faith more than we let our faith inform our politics.

You’ve probably heard people say something like, “How can anyone be a Christian and support them?” It’s not hard to come up with a list of Bible verses that support our political preferences. It’s easy to become convinced that Jesus would have supported the same people we support. But there isn’t a single political party that is fully in line with Jesus’ vision of Heaven on Earth.

If we believe that Heaven on Earth has more to do with a political election than Jesus’ resurrection, then we don’t understand the Good News. Our hope doesn’t come from who sits at the top of our government. Our hope comes from who sits on Heaven’s throne. Regardless of who leads our nations, God is still our King.

Are you solely relying on your government or elected officials to bring hope to your community? Then you’re missing out on your God-given role to be a light in a dark world. Does your sense of peace or joy rise and fall on who’s in power? Then you’re missing a chance to rely on God as the provider of every good thing you need. Do you lovingly listen to opposing views in an effort to understand where those viewpoints came from? Do you meet the needs of your neighbors when you’re able? And are you striving for justice, mercy, and humility in yourself, your home, your workplace, and your community just as passionately as you’d like your government leaders to? Then you’re living the different kind of life that our heavenly Father has asked us to live.

A wise pastor once said, “Every time we take a side, we divide.” This doesn’t mean we don’t do our civil duty and choose a side to support or stand up for what we believe in. Of course we do! As Christians, we should use every resource we have available to serve the people in our communities. It does mean, as Christians, we don’t reduce our neighbors to “this side” or “that side.” Our personal identity doesn’t come from our political ideas. Our identity is as a child of God. Our neighbors? They’re made in the image of God, too. We’re all sinners in need of salvation. In that regard, there can be no side, no division. And we must fight to keep that truth sealed in our hearts and minds. We must engage and stand differently. Instead of settling for division, we fight for unity. 

Our battle is not against flesh and blood. Therefore, we cannot fight our battles the same way the world does. As disciples of Jesus, we fight by praying our prayers and loving our neighbors. This is how we faithfully follow Jesus in a divided world.

Pray: God, help us, Your followers, to be one. Help us to refuse to settle for division. Give us the wisdom and strength to fight for unity. Remind us of our role as Your people to represent Jesus and the Good News to our divided world.