The Chasm Between Us

Have you noticed the widening chasm between different branches of Christianity in the US? And, if you've noticed, do you even care?

I know and love family members and other Christians on both sides of the growing rift between Christian groups. It hurts to be caught in the middle, to hear the hostile, bitter, and sometimes gloating words that are tossed back and forth so thoughtlessly. Now--especially now, when times are hard for so many people--why won't Christians try to get along?

Historically, an Evangelical church includes any of the classical Protestant churches, or their offshoots, that have stressed the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Since the late 20th century, though, the term evangelical has come to mean those churches that not only preach the gospel and actively reach out to share the Good News of Jesus with the people in their communities and throughout the world, but who also insist that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, and that each person can know Jesus personally as Lord and Savior. Furthermore, such evangelical Christian churches are often conservative in their beliefs, practices, and political leanings, while other churches have become more liberal in their thinking, actions, and politics. 

Right now, though, it seems as if the traditionally mainline Protestant churches, including Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and some Lutherans and Baptists, are squaring off against the Evangelical churches, which include many Baptists, Pentecostals, Lutherans, and numerous other denominational and non-denominational churches. And these days, in our uncertain political climate, Christians on both sides of the expanding divide are insisting that their way is the only right way, and that they alone know the best way to love the people around them.

Have we lost sight of the main thing? If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9) Shouldn't Christians everywhere be united in their preeminent belief in Jesus as their Lord and Savior?

Other Christians are not our enemies! It isn't unusual for separate groups of Christians to look at some things differently, because their theology may differ in some significant ways. Sometimes, though, they just use different methods to reach similar goals. It's okay for Christians to have differences in our traditions, worship styles, community outreach, and even Biblical interpretation, as long as we keep this in mind: All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:27 NLT)

When we publicly condemn our fellow Christians, no matter which side we (and they) are on, the people around us have no reason to want to even hear about Jesus, let alone turn to him for everything they need. We can't accomplish all the things God wants us to do as the body of Christ if we can't get along!

I've noticed that Christians and others may mistakenly lump all Evangelicals, or all mainline Protestants, into the same polarized categories when, in reality, no two people in just one congregation, let alone several distinct denominations or groups of Christians, will completely agree with each other on every theological idea. In fact, just as God has given individual Christians different gifts, he has also given individual churches and denominations differing gifts and goals that they use in their service to God and the people around them.

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children...Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Fellow Christians, don’t let Satan tear us apart! We really do need each other!

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12-14 NLT)

And that is the real answer. If we can't love and forgive our fellow Christians, how can we expect to love the seemingly unlovable people around us who need to hear about Jesus? We need to pray for each other, even if (and especially if) we don't agree with each other. And we need to remember that we aren't as far apart as we think we are, since all Christians are members of Christ's body. He is able to unite us in himself, and bring us his peace, even when we find ourselves in the midst of the most divisive political atmosphere we have ever known.

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. (Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭15-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Even when we don't agree with each other, we are called to pray for each other. And whether or not we like our current president and his support staff—whether we completely agree with Mr. Trump’s words and decisions, or agree with just some of his agenda, or think he is totally wrong in everything he says or does—we need to pray for President Trump and everyone in positions of authority throughout the USA. Only God is able to bring unity and peace out of our current situation. As the Apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 2:1-4, I urge you, first of all, pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

Life is hard for countless people in our nation right now. Grocery and housing prices are sky-high. Too many people live in fear of too much government control, or insurmountable poverty, or inaccessible health care, or deportation, or unwarranted violence. Christians of all persuasions are treated scornfully because we trust in a living God who loves us. In all of this, we can choose how we will react. Will we fight each other, or will we choose to love each other and the people around us?

In this life, grief, sorrow, and loss are inevitable. 

But how we respond to others going through those things is our choice. 

May we exhibit the compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ.

-Pastor Tom Cash, West Unity, Ohio