We’re All in This Together
Learning from Those We Disagree With
I’m sure you’ve noticed that each political season brings a renewed sense of division in our country.
People get so worked up over their political opinions and beliefs, and they become increasingly hostile toward those who don’t agree. Thanks to our news and media sources (which is a whole other topic that we won’t get into today), we hear all the negative and scary things about each side’s policies or candidates.
We might find ourselves thinking, “How could anyone believe that or think that way.” But the reality is people on the “other” side of the aisle are thinking the same things about your position.
Don’t you have your position on a policy because you think it is what is best for the country or community? We need to realize that (hopefully) the “other” party is trying to do the same.
So, what do you do if you’re in a small group or bible study with someone who has a different political opinion than you?
How should we respond when we have disagreements with other believers?
In Philippians 2:2, Paul says we should “…agree wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose.”
But even Paul wasn’t always successful at this goal. In Acts 15, we read about Paul's heated disagreement with his friend and co-worker, Barnabas, concerning another believer and fellow minister, Mark.
We read that their disagreement was so “sharp” that they decided to separate and go their own way for a while.
So, which is it?
Well, we must understand that we will have disagreements. There will be plenty of times that we don’t see eye to eye with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
In fact, in keeping with the theme of politics, we probably will disagree often.
In the first two weeks of this message series, Pastor Shane reminded us to prayerfully consider each policy, platform, and candidate and to give God all authority in our lives. For more information on the first two messages in the series, check them out here.
Even when we spend time in prayer, thinking through our political opinions and beliefs, we will still have disagreements among believers.
We can’t assume that we know everyone’s story. Others have different experiences that make things important to them. We need to look for the heart in what other believers find important, even if we disagree.
Here are three quick reminders that can help us see the good in others, even when we disagree:
We should want God to be known and glorified above all else.
Our primary goal as believers should be to know God and make Him known. If we’ve experienced His love and mercy, we want to share it with others.
We need to remember that in our politics, God’s glory is still our primary goal in life. That our thoughts and opinions would be used to make Him known.
That might mean that someone in your life has a differing opinion, but ultimately, if they are a Christ follower, you both have the same chief goal.
You can know that you are working toward the same thing. You just have different ways of doing it. You both want to see others come to know God, love Him, and glorify Him.
We should see the best in, work for, and hope for the best for others.
We must give each other the benefit of the doubt. Instead of looking for disagreements with someone and assuming the worst of them, we must hope that they are pursuing Jesus, too. As much as we can, we need to help them pursue Him. That might mean that we let a difference in opinion go so as not to tear them down.
If it’s not the end of the world, don’t make it the end of the world.
Humbly aim to come alongside those you disagree with.
Lastly, choose humility. Take the approach that you don’t have to be right all the time. You are entitled to your opinion as long as it doesn’t hurt someone or contradict God’s word… but so are others.
Recognize that your opinion is not the most important thing in the world. It would be better to walk alongside someone with a different opinion than to have them walk alone.
We are meant to work hard to be in community with each other. Sometimes, that means putting aside your preference to care for another.
Remember that differences don’t have to destroy love.
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