Right now in our world, there has been upswing in unbridled anger, outspoken racism and utter strife. As the Body of Christ, we have the responsibility to stand in faith against those strategies of the enemy. Instead of contributing to the division, we should be examples of godly love. Below are four ways to stand against division in love:
Renew Our Minds to the Love of God
One way to do this is to follow Kenneth Copeland’s example and regularly speak 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 over ourselves:
“I am patient and kind. I am not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. I do not demand my own way. I am not irritable, and I keep no record of being wronged. I do not rejoice about injustice but rejoice whenever the truth wins out. I never give up, never lose faith, am always hopeful and endure through every circumstance!”
Respond in Love With Our Words
We must recognise that responding in love is not the same as agreeing with an ungodly position. Instead, it is responding with a gentle answer (Proverbs 15:1). Instead of lashing out at an opposing position, we should stop, listen and ask questions that probe the speaker to think critically about his or her position. Then once we have shown that we value him or her as an individual (and as a person who is precious to God), we can share our positions respectfully. This kind of approach is much more likely to keep the lines of communication open.
Respond in Love With Our Actions
James 2:17-18 says, “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, ‘Some people have faith; others have good deeds.’ But I say, ‘How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.’”
We can produce good deeds by standing against racism and economic inequality.
Examples of this are:
- Volunteering with community organizations, a local food bank, a clothes distribution center or other social enterprise.
- Starting a church outreach to help single parents buy back-to-school supplies, clothes and/or Christmas gifts, provide car repair services for senior citizens, or help underprivileged kids after school with their homework.
- Holding a neighborhood canned food drive.
- Writing letters to our local newspapers in support of equality or against unfair practices in our communities.
- Serving food to or providing job skills training for the homeless in our cities.
Respond in Love by Praying
There is no substitute for prayer. When we hear a disturbing news report, we need to pray. When our family members espouse an ungodly position, we need to pray. If our employers adopt a position with which we disagree, we need to pray. We need to pray for wisdom, for revelation knowledge to come to them and, above all, for their salvation through Jesus Christ.
We have a responsibility to be people who are led by the Spirit and walk in love. We must take time to ask the Holy Spirit to show us ways we can be beacons of God’s love to the world—to our families, friends, co-workers, church members, neighbours and communities. Then instead of being “a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1), we can be examples of God’s love to the world and effect the change He desires.
