One Heart, One Mind
As we hunker down during the COVID-19 outbreak, it hurts my heart to see the divide to which some have contributed during the past number of weeks. I am specifically referring to the use of social media. If you don't know me well, let me say that I am not the most learned in political or social matters, but I do believe that politics and policies are very important. I believe everyone has a right to his or her opinions, and your voice is important. However, social media has become a free-for-all lambasting platform where egos and selfish pride have dominated the feed on my page. I do not think social media has the effect(s) one might hope for when it is used to further personal opinions or agendas. I actually think it does the opposite, creating discouragement, dissension, and frustration.
“The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.”
The sad truth is that this kind of selfish one-upping each other plays directly into the hands of the enemy. It festers within our hearts and creates division among the body of Christ. I would encourage us instead to consider,
“Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
As the body of Christ, we are called to be of "one heart and mind" like the example we see in the early church (Acts 4:32), sacrificing our own needs in consideration of others'. This applies, of course, to physical needs but it extends to spiritual matters as well.
“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that … you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.”
Being unified is not merely a good idea, it's a Biblical mandate that is woven throughout scripture. Why would this be? Why would it matter that followers of Christ be "like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind" (Philippians 2:2)? Reality check: it's not just so we all get along. It is because the “end goal for which we are to strive is the furtherance of the gospel” (Eric Raymond). Our call to unity is a call to put aside our selfish desires in the interest of others as together we proclaim the Good News.
In the current cultural climate, others' interests seem a far-off pipe dream. And, sadly, this is true for believers as well as unbelievers. Many cry "Listen to me! I know what I'm talking about and you need to change!" It's a cry that is selfish in nature and assumes ignorance on the part of another person. It is completely acceptable to hold some ideologies dearly, defending what is important to us. But it is not selfless or loving to deem that someone else is either ignorant or stupid for disagreeing with you. This serves to breed pride in our hearts. It is unloving. The solution to this folly is in following Christ's example of humility borne out of love.
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who ...humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross,”
If we want our opinions to matter and others to hear our concerns, maybe the best place to start is by examining our hearts. Do my words or actions foster personal status or gain? Who or what am I promoting? Is the goal of what I have to say for another's benefit? Am I loving others well? Imitating Jesus' humility looks radically different than pursuing self-interest. It begins with the acknowledgement that one does not inherently know everything but is willing to listen with an open mind and might even be persuaded that another opinion is laudable. It continues in individual conversations with people to whom one can have personal, thoughtful, reasoned discourse, where honest questions in the search for understanding can take place, and where opinions, be they agreeable or different, can be voiced and heard. It is furthered by listening to another's heart and by participating in civil discussions. If you desire to see change, perhaps the most meaningful way to affect it is to have person-to-person conversations, engage with those in your community and within your sphere of influence, and seek to lovingly understand those with whom you share an eternal inheritance, despite having vastly opposing views. You are not right. I am not wrong. Maybe we are both. Is it possible to refrain from mocking, rebuking, minimizing, and shaming others with whom we simply cannot find common ground? Could we instead use social media platform(s) to edify one another, to encourage each other, or to build one another up? Maybe the commonality we seek is greater than anything that divides us, because our mutuality is found in Jesus. The premise by which we begin to cross this great divide can be summed up in John 13:34,
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
It is not your job to convict me, nor should you desire to bind my conscience to yours. You might firmly disagree with my positions (and you might think I'm completely wrong), and I might fight tooth and nail against you. But none of this changes our status as followers of Christ, nor our place in His kingdom. To presume otherwise is to think more highly of oneself than of Christ’s work on the cross. In such volatile times, how could we together advance the Gospel? What would it look like to lay down our individual pride, open our ears and our hearts, and love others well by humbling ourselves? It looks like Jesus. It looks like perfect love. And everyone needs that love.