America is a divided nation and the enemy is having fun stirring the pot of dissension. Are we headed for another civil war? One would think that Christians would be united in this fight, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Rather than uniting in biblically sound positions, Christians are leading the charge to show just how nasty the divisions in this country are.
Why Are You Unfriending People on Social Media?
One way Christians are exhibiting this disunity is by posting polarizing statements on social media such as, “If you believe ___, unfriend me,” or “I just unfriended a list of people who said ____.” Maybe you didn’t say as much outright, but you recently unfriended or unfollowed a list of people because of something they posted–ghosting them without a word.
I posted on Facebook recently and lost several followers soon after. They either totally missed my heart behind the post (In this post I tried to be fair to both “sides”), or maybe they didn’t want to be associated with someone who had a different viewpoint. I wasn’t as hurt by the unfollows as I was disappointed that people can be so one-sided in their thinking that they aren’t willing to have a peaceful conversation with anyone who doesn’t think one-hundred percent the way they do.
The murder of Charlie Kirk has put a magnifying glass on this dissension among American Christians.
I personally had never heard of Charlie Kirk before his assassination. Maybe I saw a reel on social media of him a time or two, but I didn’t know who he was? I don’t know. Since then, I spent some time reviewing what he stood for and I agree with some of his positions wholeheartedly, but there are also some points where I definitely disagree. One thing I do agree with is his heart for people to come to know Jesus personally. All the other stuff doesn’t matter in light of eternity. For this reason I grieve the death of a man whom I didn’t know until he went to be with Jesus.
The question is, why are we so quick to distance ourselves from someone who so much as whispers something that just might go against what we believe? Is that what Jesus would want us to do?
Look for Ways to Share the Gospel
Charlie Kirk didn’t shy away from people who disagreed with him. In fact, he graciously entered into conversations with people of different perspectives, not to win a political argument, but to meet them at the heart of the matter and draw them to Christ.
While I don’t agree with some of Mr. Kirk’s political viewpoints, I do think he was a good example of an evangelist. His evangelistic strategy seemed to be to meet people in a political conversation and turn it back to Jesus. And isn’t that the main point–that we, as Christians, should live our lives so as to draw others to Jesus?
I wonder, how can we be a light for Christ if we are alienating ourselves from those who believe differently than us? Those people being the very people who need Christ’s light in their life the most. If my only friends on Facebook were people who believed just as I do, what’s the point? If the only people I associate with are people who have the same mindset as me, then am I being who Christ has called me to be as one of his followers?
I think many American Christians live in complacency, travelling only in circles of people who are just like them. I get it! We generally gravitate towards people who are like us, but God wants more from us. Jesus gave Christians a very clear calling before he left this earth.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
Matthew 28:18-20a (ESV)
First, in this passage Jesus establishes his authority, which is important because earlier in the passage Matthew shares that some doubted. Was this really real? Is this really Jesus, the Christ? Some of his disciples were conflicted and needed the assurance that he really was there and he really is the Son of God. I ask you, do you doubt Jesus? Are you really sure you believe he is who he said he is? Have you truly repented of your sins and bowed down to him as your savior? If so, continue to lean in, this article is primarily for you. If not, go here.
The next thing Jesus says out of his established authority is a command. He says, “Go therefore.” Note that his words are not a suggestion, but a command. What is the command? To make disciples. Of who? Of the people who look like us and think like us? No! To the contrary! Of all nations. And not just to turn them towards Christ, but to teach them. The relationship is continual, an ongoing dialog. One that can’t happen if the moment we disagree we say, “Good riddance.” One where, when someone says something ugly, we don’t turn their back on them, but teach them as Christ would have taught them.
For example, I saw a lot of people disowning others if they said they thought Charlie Kirk got what he deserved. I absolutely get it. That’s a horrible outlook on the situation. But what if, instead of alienating them, your response turned into a meaningful conversation about why they felt that way? Or, what if, leading by example, they see Christ in you in how you reacted to the event in a more gracious Christ-like manner, which got them thinking, “I want what they have”? Disagreeing with someone and, yet, not hating them is possible and that’s exactly what Jesus did.
The Apostle Paul writes,
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:14-21 (ESV)
Don’t Entertain Fools
On the other hand, Jesus didn’t allow people to abuse him, either. When the religious leaders got out of line, he called them out on it with grace and tact, albeit at times with bluntness. Think of the story of the woman caught in adultery. Who cast the first stone? No one. Jesus challenged the religious leaders and they all left quietly. (John 8:1-11)
As Proverbs 26 says,
Answer not a fool according to his folly,
lest you be like him yourself.
Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Proverbs 26:4-5 (ESV)
I believe Jesus was very good at this. While these two verses seem to contradict each other, they are actually calling us to be discerning when someone says or does something that is foolish. Verse four is saying to not go along with this person’s foolishness so as to not become a fool yourself. Verse five, on the other hand, is suggesting that, if that person is open to a wise and kind response, you should engage them in a peaceful conversation. In other words, don’t let this person go on being foolish if you can discern that they are open to dialog.
However, when someone is being combative and closed minded, you should do what Jesus advises and leave, shaking the dust from your feet as you do so. (Mark 6:11) This means, don’t bring anything of that conversation with you. Just let it be and walk the opposite direction. Unless they are throwing stones at you as you go, don’t cut them off completely, but let the temperature cool down and avoid that same conversation in the future. You can say a lot more by your actions than you can your words in many cases, so let them watch you as you walk away from that particular interaction. If you bow out gracefully, they will take note. Unless they are continually being abusive, completely blocking off communication isn’t going to show them Christ’s work in your life.
Christians, more than ever, we need to get in the Word, really study what it says, and then speak and act accordingly. How we interact with others–and especially how we interact with each other–is going to allow Christ’s light to be magnified during a time of great division. We need to decide how we’re going to use these tumultuous times to spread the ultimate truth–the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Bethany Marinelli is an author and speaker out of Orlando, Florida. She also supports her husband, Andrew, in his auto repair business and homeschools her son, Arthur.
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