Being Right vs Being in Relationship

I think we have forgotten the words of the Apostle Paul. Romans 12:18 plainly teaches us that we should do what we can do to live peaceably with one another. "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." This does not mean that we cannot have our own convictions. Paul is not telling us to abandon our belief systems. It seems to me that he is stating that there is a responsibility that each of us has to protect relationships.

Somewhere along the way we lost this. I wonder if we ever really had it to begin with. The unwillingness of so many people within the human race to continue to treat one another as humans is astounding. We disagree, divide, and often demonize those that don't hold our beliefs, values, or perspectives. Maybe I notice it more during political seasons. Maybe this has always been an issue. It seems that with every turn we face another choice. Whose side will we be on? Whose cause will we take up? And who will be left in the wake of our destruction?

I would love to say that the church has been above this type of dysfunction. I wish I could tell you that we all get along and that we have found a common denominator in Christ. However, the reality is that we have fallen into the same line of thinking. You have groups on either side of the aisle who are sure that they have a more solid belief about the Bible. Those who claim to be more in line with the teachings of Jesus. Groups who are confident that they will be the only ones who truly represent the Kingdom of God. All the while we tear the Body apart, gather into our small sample of the kingdom, and discredit those who believe differently.

Earlier this morning I met with several ministers of local congregations. There we were, men from different denominations determined to gather in the name of Christ. One of the oldest among us even made an observation about how rare such meetings were. That it was good for us to find this type of fellowship among one another. Which leads me to think that if the leaders of the church in our small section of North America can find a way to unite in Christ, then maybe (just maybe) the rest will follow.

Could it be that the days of denominational and doctrinal division are on their last leg? Could it be that we are seeing a shift within our communities toward common-unity? Are we to the place where we will stop demonizing one another over our differences and begin to affirm our brothers and sisters in Christ? I believe we are. It will take time. It will take honoring one another. It will mean laying down our ego and the need to be right in order to be in relationship. It can happen. It should.

I can affirm a brother/sister in Christ without affirming every belief that they hold.
I can honor another pastor, teacher, and leader of another denomination without joining them.
I can lift up other churches in the area even though they have a different label than mine.
What are these denominations other than something that we have created? Have we forgotten Jesus' words to His disciples when they wanted to shut down the ministry of another simply because he didn't walk with them? Maybe it's time we heard them again: "Whoever is not against you is for you." Honestly, if we would take the time to talk to one another we would discover that most of these pastors and leaders have the same passion. They sincerely love God. They want to see the Kingdom of God manifest on the Earth. They desire to see people come to the knowledge of Jesus. How can we fight against that?

They Don't Believe Right!
If you are not from Southwest Virginia you may not have heard this put so eloquently. But this is the argument that so many people make. In other words, they don't believe like me. They don't have the same interpretation of the Bible that I do. They don't hold to the same doctrines of our particular denomination. And it's arguments just like this that cause us to build walls, seek to destroy ministries, or at least hurt their credibility within the community. Much like the disciples whom Jesus rebuked, we cry out "he is not one of us."

When will we decide to practice Romans 12:18? When will we do all that we can do to live peaceably with our brothers and sisters in Christ? When will we put aside this need to be right and replace it with the need to be in relationship? Personally I believe that this will happen when we stop denomination building and move toward Kingdom building. When we stop trying to promote ourselves and seek to promote Jesus. When we choose love over hate, unity over division, and honor over dishonor. I see it happening in so many places. I see it a lot outside of the church. I think it's time that we moved beyond ourselves and really began to walk in the Spirit among one another.

It's time...
To Heal the wounds.
To Focus on the Tie that binds us.
To See the Family of God in a new light.
To Love One Another.
Then...the whole world will know.