Our Differences Could Be Blessings
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There is reason, at times, for the Christian person to separate from another. Moses wrote, “Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together.” Paul wrote, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”
The difficulty we have is in where to draw the line. We also face the persistent temptation to make enemies–drawing dividing lines where dividing lines are unnecessary. If this were not a common fault of human nature, men like Dale Carnegie would not have a market for their books (i.e. How To Win Friends and Influence People). We have a strong tendency to carry stones in our pockets and hurl them that at the first hint of opposition.
I’ll give you an example. I see this sort of conversation more often than I would like on Facebook…
Facebook Bible Conversation
The Problem
Our self-appointed theologian has decided he would like to correct a significant error in the status update of our zealous friend. However, there is no error to correct–unless, of course, our theological friend believes there is error in the Bible. Our zealous friend has done little more than quote a Bible verse. Even so, the so-called theologian audaciously assumes our zealous friend does not understand the verse he has quoted.
Furthermore, the theologian has offered no constructive help. He has simply made an arrogant assumption, offered his criticism, and walked away. In what universe could his comment be helpful to anyone?
The Bigger Problem
We do this all the time! This kind of behavior is not limited to Facebook or even the Internet. It is like we are often looking for reasons to create strife. Even worse, we do this with fellow Christians like in the example above. I’m not convinced a slightly misguided believer is what the apostle had in mind when he commanded we should not be unequally yoked.
With that said, we are also taught in the Bible to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and never ever a jerk.
Learning From One Another
I recently produced a podcast episode on this subject. One listener of the episode sent me this piece of email feedback…
Although I don’t consider myself an extremist when it comes to opinions, I do know what I believe. And I usually don’t offer my opinions unless I am asked, but when I do my delivery does come across as self-righteous, I do believe. My passion translates into “I am right and you are not”.
I am trying to change my way of thinking to that perhaps God gave his children all different understandings when it comes to different ways of believing in order for us to “work” at getting along and loving our neighbor even though we have differences.
Is she right? Well, there’s plenty of truth to her new-found conclusion. I do not believe God is going to lead a person to understand one thing and lead another to understand something contrary to the former, but our understanding of the truth comes at different rates.
We grow in wisdom and understanding all our lives. Some are weak in the faith while others are stronger. It could be argued the apostles of Christ had a better understanding of the truth than anyone during that time, yet they were still lacking. Only after Christ was resurrected did He open “their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures”. We are always learning and always growing and sometimes that learning and growing is helped along by others in the faith.
I cannot tell you how much I’ve learned from people whom I disagree with at the most fundamental theological level. However, I learned to stop preaching–stop trying to persuade them through forceful speech–and just talk to them. Even more importantly, I listened to them.
Instead of scaring people off with my rhetoric–refusing to even try to understand where they are coming from–I actually converse with them as friends. I get to know them and I learn from them. Along the way, they learn from me as well. These instances would never have happened apart from love and meekness.
About The Author
Jeremy Sarber
I'm the pastor of one of the most blessed churches in all the world. I'm married to the most wonderful woman to walk the face of the earth. I'm host of possibly the most unconventional podcast on the Internet. I am thankful because I deserve none of it. Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | LinkedIn | Email
