All the Rage: How Christians Should Respond to Division

Halftime Show: Fulltime Problem

Sports play a a huge role in bringing fans of opposing sides together, and should not be used a as a vehicle to further propel people apart. And yet, this year’s “Big Game” was overshadowed by politicizing a concert, and thus further dividing our country.

A tale of two halftime shows is a rather benign example of the malignant societal schism we see playing out before us. Sadly there are much bigger issues we disagree over, but as Christians we are to be the bearers of hope and of Christ’s glory. There’s a very simple way for us to do this! 

Whose Side Are We On? 

As a Christian, there is only one side: The Kingdom of God. 

In fact, we have literal “citizenship” here that surpasses any manmade government system or country allegiance. 

As seen in Philippians, “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.” (New International Version, Phil. 3:20)

In this Kingdom that we belong to, we must follow the King and His commandments. Thankfully, He came to earth to save us, AND confirm what those commandments are. He did this through speaking to His disciples and others. 

Christians We Have a Code to LOVE By

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40)

In doing what Jesus commands, my brothers and sisters, we will show the world love.

And this is critical to our mission, why? 

John 13:35: By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

And we are even given a warning on division by Jesus: “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mark 3:25)

We are citizens of a Kingdom that will not fall, and the way people recognize our citizenship (our Visa if you will) is by our love for one another. 

But I Still Believe In…?

Christians should unequivocally still be allowed to maintain their beliefs. 

Beliefs that many brave persons have fought and died for. 

The issue is not that beliefs are opposing (although the Bible is clear on many of the issues we face today), it is about who holds the beliefs that we must be mindful of.

We must remember that others who might hold different beliefs, biblical or otherwise, are still: image-bearers of God worthy of value and respect. 

The Answer to Tension: A Question

Christians, before you post, before you besmirch, before you gather evidence to convince or convict- examine your heart- have you cared? 

Have you cared about the person in your sights? 

God cares about them. Do you? 

But they’re against God and everything He stands for! They hate Him, they hate me for being a Christian! 

That might be true. 

They hated Jesus too. 

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.  Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’[a] If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. – John 15: 18-21

And yet, He forgave them. He died for them. 

And He died for the very people you are blasting. 

All I am saying is this: hold on to your beliefs, but don’t disobey God’s commandment “to love your neighbor.”

And who is my neighbor? 

Ah, yes, the loophole question ever! We see the answer in the famous parable: The Good Samaritan.

People. That’s the answer: people. God makes it so easy to understand for us!

 The person who watched whichever show you did not. 

Post Office Lines: The Greatest Missionfield

I’ll close with a short story, and of course, it takes place in the post office line: a masterclass in humanity’s drama.

A woman was paying at the counter and had difficulty with payment technology. She was evidently bothered enough to stomp out to her car all while loudly taking the Lord’s Name in vain to boot! 

A fellow lady in waiting (line) remarked cheekily, “Well, someone has a bad attitude!” to anyone within hearing distance which happened to be my mother and I. 

My thoughts: I hope we are far enough away to be removed from this. And didn’t I already have grievances at the store portion counter up front with my own technical issues?! 

Nope, God planned for us to get involved. 

I opted to remain silent in response to the “Bad attitude” Noticer. In truth, Part of what she said seemed accurate, but it still hurt my heart to hear the utterance against another person. 

The Angry woman returns to hopefully  resume her spot at the counter, but it is now the Noticer’s turn to go up front. 

Angry woman: “Can I go back to my spot and finish paying?” 

Noticer: “No, I am here now…” 

Noticer goes forward and leaves behind the woman in distress who turns to us, completely flummoxed, anger on her lips, and that’s when I gently say (by God’s grace), “You can go in front of us.” 

God Cares and So Should We

Now, I need you to understand- this is not of my flesh- it was only because I felt the Holy Spirit say: I care about her, do you? 

By the way, I didn’t even watch either halftime show. That ship sailed for me long ago. 

But if I had to guess, this woman and I would probably disagree on a few things: taking the Lord’s Name being at the top. 

But when she heard this, you could just see the anger fade from her face. 

Someone cared. Someone cares that this is hard for me or that I am having a tough moment. 

Perspective Shift

Can we see people as God’s creation, made in His image, as “wonderful works” (Psalm 139:14)? 

Disagreement of ideas in one thing, but actual hate of the people that hold the ideas is, for Christians, not of God. 

It is going to be uncomfortable to live this way. Engaging with angry people or people that are so different from us. Remember we share the identity of an image bearer, and one day, we hope the lost will find Christ.

We have to get over ourselves. We have to care. It is mandatory to be a Christian. The ones who do not believe will: KNOW US BY OUR LOVE! 

Care before you share. In fact, let the other person share first! 

Care about what is bothering people. Jesus does! 

We ended up talking about our shared lament of tech being stupid sometimes more than helpful. Even our distrust of AI! And before we knew it, she got back to her place at the counter, and the air was lighter. 

You know what He got the most angry about- holy pretending. Holy people being jerks (Pharisees), misusing the Word, and abusing those they were supposed to- are you ready- CARE ABOUT. 

Let that not be us. How can you go out and care for others today? Praying first always helps us be ready to share hope and care.