Dear Friends of Greenfield, Indiana,
May you all experience the grace and peace of Christ! Paul the Apostle wrote in his letter to the Ephesians: “There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, through all, and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6, ESV).
During these challenging times of a divided nation, we must seek ways to navigate through the difficulties. These words come to mind as a reminder.
As followers of Christ, we must remember our uniting identity in Him in a world characterized by separation, conflict and discord. We are asked to be a beacon of togetherness, compassion and love as we observe the divisions in our country, the polarization of viewpoints and the growing gaps in understanding.
Our nation is battling what seem to be insurmountable divisions. However, Jesus Christ’s work of reconciliation is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. God removed the barriers that separate us from one another by bringing the world to Himself through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19). As we work to heal the differences in our country, we ought to act in the same spirit of reconciliation.
As Christians, we are obligated to go beyond the confines of our own viewpoints and try to empathize with one another. Our faith tells us that each individual has immense dignity and value since we are all made in God’s likeness. We are encouraged to treat one another with love, respect and humility even when we disagree, just as Christ did when He was on earth.
As followers of Christ, our bond goes beyond any political, cultural or religious differences. In John 17:20-21, Jesus prayed for unity among believers, so that the world may believe in God’s message. Let us embrace our shared identity in Christ and work toward that unity.
How, then, can we live out this unity? We must remember that uniformity is not the same as unity. Our diversity allows us to learn from one another and deepen our comprehension of God’s intricately varied creation. Let’s have meaningful dialogues in which we strive to learn and listen rather than to persuade and convert.
Another vital method for fostering togetherness is prayer. Let us pray for hearts open to mending, ears sensitive to understanding and brains devoted to reconciliation. Let’s pray for our leaders so that they can manage complex challenges with knowledge and humility. Let us also pray for ourselves to serve as conduits for God’s harmony and peace in our neighborhoods.
Furthermore, we must deliberately practice love and forgiveness as we work to bring about unity. Christ’s teaching that we ought to love one another is not conditional on having the same beliefs or experiences. Instead, it is a bold invitation to love sacrificially and unreservedly, as He loves us.
Remember that even when there is division, we are not alone. We are empowered to cross divides, repair relationships and construct bridges because the Holy Spirit is inside us. Let’s reach out to individuals who might feel excluded or misunderstood as Christ’s hands and feet.
Dear friends, our faith is a path of personal and societal development. Let’s remember that the way to unity begins inside each of us. Let’s examine our hearts and be aware of any biases or prejudices that could hinder our efforts to achieve peace. Through introspection and prayer, we allow God to shape ourselves into His peacemakers.
Paul said, “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by agreeing, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (Philippians 2:1-2, ESV).
May we, as Christ’s disciples, stand together amid conflict as a powerful illustration of God’s ability to bring people together. By demonstrating the changing love of Christ through our deeds and attitudes, we can inspire others to join us on the path of peace and hope.
The Rev. Dr. Richard Lee Blue Jr. is senior pastor of St.James Lutheran Church. This weekly column is written by local clergy members.
