Is it just me or has anyone else seemed to notice that we can’t get two people to agree on much of anything? I’m not trying to complain. I’m just making an observation. You hear about the same exact events from multiple perspectives. This person is happy about whatever “it” is and this one’s not. This person’s scared and this one’s not. Someone says it’s good and another says it’s bad. You get the idea. Whatever the issue, there’s no doubt going to be controversy. This all has to do with the fallen nature we live in. This dilemma is also a repeated pattern throughout history. I think today it may be more noticeable because of all of the social media platforms people have to voice their opinions on. Who knows? The world is just divided on so many issues. 

“And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬ NKJV) Joshua is drawing a line in the sand. He’s saying, “We’ve made our choice. What about you?” He was challenging the people many years before Christ was even born. Speaking of Jesus, He was absolutely no stranger to controversy. When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “Some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” (‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭13-15‬ NLT) Even The Messiah was subject to people’s different opinions! But, the question He proposed determined everything then, and is still determining everything now!

“But who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15 NLT) The answer to this same question today determines which side of the fence you’re on with every issue of your life. Whether you realize it or not, who you say Jesus is will dictate how you respond to situations, how you view others and actually how you view yourself. You see, if Jesus is in His proper place in your life, you will view things from His perspective. If He’s not in His proper place, you rely on you to call the shots. This can be extremely scary as none of us are equipped to do life in our own strength. Humanity is a tough affliction and there’s only One true Champion who conquered it. We are not it! “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬ NLT) Well, I guess that settles it. Not some things. Nothing! Jesus declares that we, apart from Him, can do nothing. This doesn’t leave much room for discussion!

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place (‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬ NKJV). Notice they (the disciples), were in one accord. Yes, there were many people in that room that day but they were all on the same page! This has always stood out to me. We, as Christ followers, would serve Him so much better in this dying world if we were more unified. Jesus had this to say about the matter. “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35 NLT) This shows that we’ve made that choice and He IS King over all. We are probably not going to agree on everything all the time, but we can love one another. We love each other because he loved us first (‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬ NLT).

So yes, there is conflict of opinion and division on earth, but it should never be within the body of Christ. We are all on the same team. We should all do our own part to be as unified as possible. When making choices, we should always pursue truth in Christ and not the world’s ways. We are to love the world but not follow its dictates. Jesus was praying and I believe He said it best. “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” (John‬ ‭17‬:‭21‬ NLT) An unbelieving world needs to see a church who loves one another. They need to see and experience the fact that we can agree to disagree and still be in fellowship. Let’s not invite our differences to separate us. Let’s find common ground. We can all agree that God is love and we’re created in His image. This will most certainly help close the gap in the great divide.

 

Today’s guest writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband Robby and cat Harold. 

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