LOVING ONE OTHER AMID OUR DIFFERENCES

"But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

Galatians 5:15-17

All Christians must strive to achieve unity despite our differences for the sake of Christ. So often, we spend too much time tearing down our brothers and sisters, Christ's body, instead of seeking to win the lost to Christ by teaching them the Truth and reconciling them to Him. Paul said,

“For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 4 For when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not being merely human?’” (1 Corinthians 3:3-4). 

Our Lord Jesus, in His high priestly prayer in John 17, prayed for unity and oneness, making Jesus' deity and Lordship above all. So, what do we do with divisions? What do we do with disagreements? And what do we do with differences? The following are a few things to take into consideration.


I.  WE MUST AVOID GOSSIP:

The Lord is very much against slander. He condemns it severely. The Greek word translated as "gossip," which means whisper or whisperer, is used exclusively in the Bible for "secret slandering," according to the Greek Lexicons.  Gossip is not open, honest, or sincere. It is dark. This is not walking in the light of love. It does not heal. It inflicts our ego's desire to be seen as righteous without playing honestly by the rules of love. Hear what the apostle Paul says,

“For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.” (2 Corinthians 12:20)

II.   WE MUST SEE THE GRACE IN ONE ANOTHER AND SPEAK TO THAT GRACE:

When we speak about each other, we must recognize that grace. One example of this was the church at Corinth. This church was deeply flawed, but Paul found a reason to thank God for them despite their carnality and differences. 

"I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus." (1 Corinthians 1:4)

Even with all our flaws and weaknesses, we must be of noble character toward one another. It is a work of grace that honors our Lord Jesus Christ. It keeps criticism in perspective that is seen and acknowledged often. My brethren, please, the stature of Christ is to speak criticism directly to one another when the occasion calls for it instead of talking to others about it. This is what we call gossip. We know that we are not always going to agree on everything, especially the practical application of shared principles, but let's try hard to put into practice what Paul said: 

"If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at PEACE with all MEN." (Romans 12:18)

We have all experienced how difficult this is, and it seems impossible, but we must try!

III.   LET US GIVE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT:

Let's not assume the worst but rather the best possible motive in the other person's words or deeds, especially when we disagree. This brings to mind the young David when Israel went to war with the Philistines. Here, we see that the situation looked bleak. David was sent by his father to the front lines to take supplies to his brothers. When he arrived, he heard the chaos and blasphemy of Goliath. Immediately, David's passion for his Lord flared up, provoking him to get into the battle. David's eldest brother, Eliab, scolded him upon hearing of his boldness. He questioned David's motives and qualifications. But David's reply was simple: "Is there not a cause?" You can read about this in I Samuel 17. Satan wants to cause us to stumble here, but we must defeat him with God's grace and strength. It is hard, but we must try to live in harmony with God's will. Let's remember Paul's words in dealing with disagreement in such matters:

"The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God” (Romans 14:6). 

Paul here appeals to those whose practical judgments oppose each other but have identical heart motives. If we are willing to honor Christ, this can unite us despite our differences.

IV.   THINK OF THE EXCELLENT THINGS WE SHARE AND HOLD IN COMMON: 

"But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, ‘Great is the Lord!’” (Psalm 40:16)

Here are a few things we hold in common as brethren:

1. The affirmation of our Faith.
2. The sovereignty of God.
3. The supremacy of Christ.
4. The all-sufficiency of His saving work.
5. All the precious and magnificent promises are summed up in Romans 8:28-32.
6. The value and sweetness of the Word of God.
7. The Grace that saves us and instructs us to live righteously and godly.
8. The hope of glory.
9. The profound Biblical vision of manhood and womanhood and
10. The Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. 
11. Let's learn gratitude and thanksgiving because we have been forgiven of our trespasses and sins and made righteous through the blood of our Lord Jesus.

Therefore, let us form our relationships with one another according to the teachings of the Gospel. Let us treasure in our hearts what the apostle Paul said:

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). 

"And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:2). 

Let us think of how wretched we were and how we were rescued and forgiven by God through Christ when we walked like sheep who had wandered astray without a Shepherd. Instead of focusing on one another's flaws, weaknesses, and shortcomings, let's think about our own flaws and faults and work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Let's aim to seek the spiritual welfare of one another. Let's take to heart the words of our Lord Jesus:

"But he who is forgiven little, loves little" (Luke 7:47). 

May God help us to love each other despite our differences!

“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

Luci