It happened again. In the middle of a most enjoyable visit with a good friend, the conversation shifted to political views, and our time together that had been so pleasant and comfortable turned hateful and vitriolic in a matter of seconds. It’s not that I felt the hatred was directed at me personally, but the message being delivered was expressed in a most hateful spirit.
How could two long-time friends view the same issue so differently? What causes varying perspectives to erect walls between the two of us? Why do our differences destroy our trust and break down the unity we once enjoyed?
According to our American values, each of us has a right to choose our own beliefs…so we say. But what I observe over the past several years is the attitude, “You have to think like I do, or else we cannot be friends.” Some will take it even further with the message, “Because we differ, I hate you and as a matter of fact, you should die!” And that dying might be the death of the friendship or in extreme cases, the literal loss of life.
Absolute Truth or Gray Matter?
Tell me if you agree: There are a few absolute truths in this world, accompanied by a plethora of gray matter on every side. For example,
- 2+2=4 absolutely every time.
- On the color wheel, black is the absolute absence of light; white is the absolute fullness of light.
- Oak and pine are both good woods, yet oak is hard and pine is soft. One or the other is not absolutely suitable for every wooden application.
- Technology has made the world more functional and efficient. Yet the perversion of technology creates calamity and causes extensive pain and heartaches. Technology is not absolutely wonderful.
- Prescription drugs are not absolutely effective for healing. The side effects often create additional issues for the one seeking a solution. There is gray matter in the risk vs. benefit.
There is also the tension of standing up for truth. Most of us believe we must defend what is right and fight against anything that would remove our freedom we so enjoy. We ask ourselves questions such as, “Do I want to engage only with those who think like I do, or do I appreciate diversity?” And, “Do I want to be told what to think or do I want the freedom to explore how to think?”
As a Christian, I have believing friends who vastly differ from my perspective. Their varied responses to mine over the same issue calls me to further explore my conclusions, while challenging me to have these discussions without judgment, without offense.
Imagine if we could disagree without going to war with each other. Imagine a discussion in which you and the other person hold a totally different perspective on the same issue, and neither of you tries to “win” an argument or “convert” to your way of thinking.
Could it be that discussions with tension become a catalyst for learning, a gateway to further knowledge? Might the challenge of those healthy tensions bring clarity to some of the gray matter in life?
I have full confidence that you and I as Christ-followers can make a change in this culture of ours.
Regardless of where you stand on political issues, would you agree that a transformation is needed in our country? As Christ-followers, we claim to worship the God Who is all about transformation and new creation.
There is a solid system for transformation, long-ago established and repeatedly proven for thousands of years by heroes of the faith. This system has brought success from the beginning of time, time and time again. It is not always safe, but when orchestrated by God, it is always best and it is always right—guaranteed.
Think with me through these three examples:
- Biblically speaking, Moses killed one Egyptian, defected the country, then later returned to save millions of Hebrews. In our American history, Abraham Lincoln began as a self-taught lawyer and legislator, leading the way to abolish slavery in the US. Transformation begun!
- Biblically speaking, King David was a warrior who fought for truth and right, leading an entire nation to safety and freedom. In our American history, Dr. Martin Luther King envisioned a world where his children would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Dr. King led peaceful protests, though others did not respond in peace. But–Transformation ignited!
- Biblically speaking, the Apostle Paul believed truth, boldly spoke truth, openly lived truth while leading a difficult life. Yet he wrote a legacy for best practices in living God’s way. In English history, C.S. Lewis, British author and professor at Oxford, fell away from his faith during adolescence, then returned to faith at age 32, greatly affecting his work that continues, even today, to challenge believing Christians to solidify truth in their hearts. Both Lewis and Paul set the stage for a shift in the cultural mindsets of their times. Transformation propelled!
You and I in our everyday living can be thought leaders and catalysts for change in the cultural mindset of our world today.
As I’ve written before, each of us lives in a sphere of influence exclusive to us, be it family, friends, workplace or neighborhood. To further explore this idea, read here.
An Empowering Offer
Let me remind you of an offer that has already been extended to you by the God of Transformation, who, by his own promise, lives within you if you have accepted his love for you. In response to the fact that this life will include difficulty in this world, Jesus gave us a weightier promise: “I have conquered this world.” (You can read it for yourself in John 16:33.) This promise alone empowers you and me to stand for truth even when faced with opposition.
In further support ofJesus’ promise, the Apostle Paul includes a wealth of coaching along these lines in one little verse, 2 Corinthians 1:12:
This is our [reason for] proud confidence: our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world [in general], and especially toward you, with pure motives and godly sincerity, not in human wisdom, but in the grace of God [that is, His gracious lovingkindness that leads people to Christ and spiritual maturity]. (AMP)
Paul held a clear conscience in the truth he shared to affect cultural ideology, but not without cost to him and those with whom he worked. I would not be honest if I were to claim that living strong in truth is a life that costs nothing.
In earlier verses, as well as in chapter seven of Second Corinthians, Paul states how he had strongly suffered from opposition. You can read the actual account of cultural opposition in Acts 19:23-41. Standing for truth cost Paul to give up conventional wisdom–he had to trade natural thinking for “wisdom from above.” He also had to trade in his old ways of thinking so he could participate in the transformation of pure living and pure motives…no hidden agenda. Consequently, this particular incident came close to costing Paul his life; for his own safety, he could not speak freely because of the riot that broke out in opposition. (Can we identify today?)
But the features of truth far outweighed the cost. What Paul gained, in his own words, was a clear conscience before God and a complete confidence in the truth. It’s just my interjection, but I’ll bet you Paul didn’t suffer with indigestion, and I expect he enjoyed a peaceful rest every night when he laid his head on the pillow. With a clear conscience and complete confidence, no chaotic thoughts would rage in Paul’s head for long!
Reading 2 Corinthians 1:12 in several translations leads us to observe two valuable benefits from living in truth:
- You Live In Authenticity
- You Navigate Your Lifestyle With a Gracious Spirit
Can you imagine the shift in our culture if every Christ-follower would authentically and with a gracious spirit extend the love of Jesus to every person we encounter–even during a disagreement?
Arguments would be diffused, dinner tables would turn pleasant, family gatherings would enjoy peace. And total strangers who are completely different from us could walk the same path, not because we are the same, but because we walk toward a common goal: unity, even in diversity.
Don’t hear me say I believe we can make this world totally agree–that is impossible! But in our disagreements, as far as it depends on us, we can land in a place of respect and honor, with grace…even when we agree to disagree.
So I leave you with a call to action. I request a response.
Getting Personal
If you have experienced this problem and you want to fix it, work these 3 sure steps for this proven system:
- Evaluate your own opinions. Are they grounded in truth or drowning in emotion? Is this a matter of absolute truth or is there some gray matter involved?
- Open your Bible and use the list in James 3:13-18 as a template for truth. Go down James’s list one-by-one to evaluate your lines of thinking. Ask, “Is my conclusion pure?” “Are my responses peaceable?” “Is my spirit gentle?” Compare the “wisdom from above” with conventional wisdom–what the world is saying. How does your line of thinking fit the template of wisdom in James 3?
- When you think about your response to the things of this world, how does your response stand up next to the way of God’s thinking? If your responses are life-giving, you are on the path to what Paul calls “godly sincerity.” We call it authenticity. If your responses do not point to a life unified with God’s way, will you consider looking into a life-giving transformation?
This system is produced with Guaranteed Promised Results. Note these words from God himself in Jeremiah 29:11-13:
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”
This very day, will you jump on board the ship for cultural transformation? Who will you influence with authenticity and in grace?