Dividing Lines

 

The other day I jumped on social media for a moment and was overwhelmed by what I saw. I was bombarded by angry voices. People demonizing each other for their choices and opinions.

Everything from politics, to education, to masks, to health care choices. Angry, accusing voices pointing fingers across a dividing line. The pointing came from both sides. Each opinion condemning the other.

Each perspective casting anger and disgust for the other. These were voices of my brothers and sisters in Christ.  People I knew. People that love Jesus.

My heart became heavier and heavier as I scrolled. Some comments were bold and some were passive aggressive.

It was when I saw the final line that I closed my computer and let the tears of sadness come.

A person shared that they felt someone else had “deserved” to die because of healthcare choices that they had made.

As Christians, as believers, as Children of The Most High we may not always agree with each other; but we are told to love each other. To care for each other. To be patient and kind to one another. To bear one another in love. Not just when we agree. Not just when our points of view align. Always….in every situation.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the enemy’s main plan of attack is to DIVIDE AND CONQUER. To draw lines in the sand and pit us against each other. Because when the ones you are trying to take over are fighting against each other they become an easy target. Vulnerable. Weak. They become marred, maimed, and broken apart. When the Body of Christ attacks each other the enemy celebrates.

We’ve become weak and vulnerable my friends; and the concerning part is we haven’t even been aware as its been happening.

God wants us to love one another not only because we are brothers and sisters in Christ, but because He knows how vulnerable we become and how dangerous it is when we attack each other. God knows we won’t always agree, but that even so….we love, respect and care for one another.

Scripture spells it out.

What does the bible say about the way we should treat each other? Let’s take a look….

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

 1 Peter 4:8

 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8

“Let all that you do be done in love.” -1 Corinthians 16:14

“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”-Proverbs 10:12

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”-Romans 12:10

“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love”,-Ephesians 4:2

“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,” 1 Peter 1:22

“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”-Leviticus 19:18

I could keep going. Yes there’s more, much more. This is by no means an exhaustive example.

As I look around in the world today, any love, care and grace seems to be overshadowed by anger, opinion and hate. The enemy is dividing and conquering and we don’t even realize it. That’s the scariest part of all.

Remember the sobering words from 1 Peter…….

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8

 So I ask you believer. I ask you Christian. I ask you brothers and sisters in Christ to take inventory of your words actions and hearts. What is coming out of your mouth? What are you putting forward to others? Where is your heart?

Bring yourself back to the loving posture of Jesus.

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”- Colossians 3:14

-Pastor Patti