Photo by Duncan Kidd on Unsplash
Shortly before England’s entry into World War II, Winston Churchill said, “We are so few, enemies so many, the cause so great, that we cannot afford to weaken each other in any way” (The Gathering Storm, p 331).
I have been dwelling on the passages and principles of a sermon I listened to this week. I think many of us struggle with how to handle the comments or beliefs of others different from our own—especially in a public venue about things that really matter. Sometimes, we begin to view disagreeing Christians as “them” vs. “us.” This thinking can be so dangerous, because we can soon view “them” as our enemies.
In reality, it is “all of us” vs. “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12; all Bible quotes ESV), the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2).
So how do we view Christians with whom we disagree? Especially when the disagreement is adamantly held over important things?
I will first assume that if they hold to the Gospel, they truly are a believer. Then I must view each one as my “brother for whom Christ died” (1 Cor 8:11). I can get angry at people for some of their sins and assume the worst of them, or I can love them because Christ, who knows the worst of ALL our sins, died for us anyway because he loved us. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). “While we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son” (Rom 5:10).
That reality should change how I think about and treat other believers. Let us “be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Eph 5:1).
We are going to be in heaven forever together worshiping the God who loved us enough to send his Son to die for us. That doesn’t erase the real problems and conflicts that are the reality of living in a sinful world. But that heavenly reminder should certainly affect how we deal with earthly problems.
Tonight, my family and I will celebrate a simple Passover meal, like Jesus did the night he was betrayed and falsely accused. Tomorrow, we will build our little tomb garden with the cross in the background to remember Christ’s unjust death that brought about our justification. Saturday, our potato tomb replica and little garden will be wilted and browned and remind us of the hopelessness many felt with Jesus dead. Sunday, our little potato tomb will have the stone rolled away, showing its emptiness and surrounded by fresh flowers to show the joy and hope we have because of a risen Savior.
And that death was for me and for you. We share in the righteousness that He gave to us. We share the hope of his resurrection and our future resurrection. The real enemy will be defeated one day. “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” (Rom 16:20). This should unify us (1 Pet 3:8).
We are few. The enemies are many. But our cause is great. Do not weaken each other in any way.