Disagreeing like a Trinitarian
Elections. Impeachment. Climate change. Covid-19 vaccines. Facemasks usage. Social issues. Here’s the understatement of the year: There sure is a lot of conflict in the world. Living through 2020 we’ve had a smorgasbord of issues to fret, disagree, argue, and froth over. It’s been disheartening to see even fellow believers choosing to vent on social media, attacking other Christians in a public way with whom they have no real relationship. Should Christian unity (that is, unity founded in our shared identity in Christ) be so fragile? Should we fragment into factions and tribes so easily? Should koinonia be replaced with vitriol, blaming, finger-pointing and border-line slander simply because of sincere differences of opinion? What are some good Trinitarian habits to develop for so that we can disagree well with fellow Christians?
In his conversation with the Samaritan woman (John 4), Jesus responds to her statement regarding the difference of worship sites for Jews and Samaritans. This was a dodge from a deeper issue of her heart, but Jesus responds to her deflection by saying that worship would no longer be an issue of location. Instead the Father was looking for a particular type of worshipper who would worship “in spirit and truth”. Previously Jesus had indicated himself as the source of the Spirit.(John 1:14). Connection to Jesus through trust is the theme throughout John’s gospel (John 1:12-13, 3:16-7, 20:31) and that connection produces the kind of worship the Father desires (John 15:1-12). Summing up that fruit, Jesus gave a new command in John 5:12, “Love one another as I have loved you” …even to death (v.13-14)
“Habit #1” : Remember Christ who in love laid down his life for us. In so doing he modelled self-giving, other-benefitting and even self-dying. Reflecting on Christ’s remarkable humility, Paul encouraged the Philippians to “count others as more significant than yourself” and to “look not only to your own interests but also to the interest of others.(Phil. 2:3-4). Before you enter a situation with other believers that has the possibility of conflict, put on the mind of Christ by desiring the good of others and considering their needs above your own. Sometimes we should just listen without comment. Sometimes we should ask questions for clarity. But we should never care more about the issues involved than we do about the well-being of our Christian sisters and brothers.
“Habit #2”: Take your anxieties and concerns to the Father in prayer. Philippians 4:6 is an oft-quoted but probably under-utilized promise. We take any and every concern to the Father, continuing to share and listen until we are peaceful with the sure knowledge of his affectionate love and faithful care. Remembering that the fruit beloved by the Father is the life of the Son who laid his life down in loving concern for sinners, we recognize that a restful heart and peace with God is more important than winning arguments. Before you attend your Bible study with “that certain so-and-so”, take your concerns for our nation, your fears for the future, your anger at politicians and pundits, your shame over your last verbal mudslinging, cast ALL your anxiety on Him for this reason: He cares for YOU (1 Peter 5:7). Having sorted out your issues with your Heavenly Father, you can leave your verbal ammunition at home. He will have the last word and it will be better than what you will say in the heat of anxiety, anger, or bitterness.
“Habit #3”: Affirm and Trust the transforming work of the Spirit At one point in his ministry, Paul was aware that some people were preaching Christ out of impure motives (Phil. 1:15) While he called out the selfish ambition on display, he was happy that the gospel was being proclaimed. Why? He believed the gospel was “The power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16). He believed that having begun a good work, the Father would be faithful to complete that work (Phil. 1:6). He trusted that those who heard and believed were sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14), the same Spirit who cleanses and continually renews us (Titus 3:5-6). Paul saw the power of the Father in the gospel as being an unfolding work in the life of each believer leading to eternal life in the Son by the Spirit. Before going to that Zoom meeting or family barbecue with that opinionated believing uncle or aunt, be firm in your bible-informed conviction that it is not your clever rejoinder that will make this person more like Jesus, but the power of the Holy Spirit —-possibly working through your loving gentleness and respect.