Healing Rays of Righteousness

The image of the Christian life being a walk is firmly rooted in the New Testament teachings.  The apostle Paul admonishes us to, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Eph. 5:1-2).

I hear the apostle saying that God’s “way of love” should directly motivate and frame my relationship with you, and is not dependent on whether or not you agree with me?  No! My relationship with you and all others should be rooted in full acceptance and respect, even though we may disagree on particular issues.

The reason so many friendships, churches, communities, and nations are severely fractured and in destructive disarray today, is because we do not acknowledge the biblical difference between agreement and acceptance.  Nor do we give heed to the many behavioral studies which show that much of our human anxieties are caused by an egocentric, neurotic need to have others agree with us.

We also are prone to ignore the fact that the dynamics of every healthy people grouping, whether it be church, community, or nation, includes lively disagreement.  The “loyal opposition” is needed to keep us from getting too comfortable with our human tendency toward selfish, narrow, and off-times marred visions. 

Furthermore, I believe that for anyone of us to presume others need us to correct their thinking or behavior, but that we do not need them to correct our thinking or behavior, is to assign to ourselves an omniscience that belongs only to Almighty God. 

Regretfully, many Christians have been misled by the King James Version of Amos 3:3, which asks, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”  They understand the prophet to be saying that any disagreement is detrimental to healthy relationship and community and thus, “no agreement, no relationship.”  But that is not the meaning behind the original Hebrew.

The New International Version better clarifies the original meaning as follows; “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?  This more correctly suggests an agreement with neighbor to meet for a walk together.  It is a commitment to a planned and scheduled activity together.  In other words, I agree to walk with you because I accept and respect you regardless of our disagreements.

With his knowledge of the Scriptures and historical experience, Dietrich Bonhoffer warned that “He who can no longer listen to his brother will soon no longer be listening to God, either.”

To the Christians in Rome, Paul says, “Love must be sincere.” (Rom. 12:1).  And included in his list of loving behaviors is this admonition in verse 18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”   He then concludes with this word, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (v.21).

These voices, and the whole of the New Testament clearly tell us that the followers of Jesus will live a lifestyle built around GOD who is LOVE. Sacrificial, accepting, forgiving love, as seen in Jesus’ crucifixion death is to be at the core of our relationships with fellow believers, and should also shape our attitude and behavior towards all people at all times. As true followers of Jesus, this is our calling and mission.

For that reason, I am deeply troubled by what appears to be a serious drift by many who call themselves Christian, away from the biblical principles of “community by acceptance” and toward a more totalitarian view of “community by agreement” and its very low tolerance for disagreement.  It is a kind of mentality that fixes its eyes on another with a cold look and says, “If you don’t agree with us, get out.  Go somewhere else.  You don’t belong here.” 

O beloved church, we call ourselves Christian, so let us walk our talk.  Let us love, accept, and walk together with all people, respectfully listening to the “loyal opposition” toward seeking common ground and guidance in making a better world for all of us.  AMEN!

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 11/6/24