Let’s all agree to disagree.

Who has come across this phrase on social media?  <<Slow Nod>>

I have experienced a great exodus of friends and family from online bonds. They have left me, other relations, each other, all in light of political, cultural, and religious differences. Many of the ones who set forth to love one another through a disagreeing to be agreeable relationship have dispersed.  They have now bowed out due to legalism or political correctness.

Life and times since the beginning have not changed all that much, but I would still beg the question: what would Jesus do? Would He exit stage left or painstakingly move forward despite the lack of being of one accord with those He communes with?

Jesus speaks of us being of one accord with Him, hence with each other:

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:4-6 ESV

I think the phrase agree to disagree wouldn’t even be an optional thought when the Lord reached out to us in His ministry. He wanted us to set deep roots, and not be swayed in disagreement. He would tell us to hold tight even if it was a social norm to sway with the breeze over politics and religion.

It is often disappointing when brothers and sisters in Christ walk away from life long connections over doctrinal differences, especially ones that are not salvation issues. We are so driven by modern culture to want to be accepted into certain circles, that appearance becomes more important than relationship. Called to walk together, we are to build each other up, and lovingly correct one another. We are not called to disperse when the topic of discussion gets a bit too heated. Most of us just take the easy route. We de-friend, stop calling, and walk away when the going gets tough and our catch phrase doesn’t seem to work any longer.

We are called to more than dealing with hot topic talking points, and knee jerk reactions.  Our calling is to live in one accord with our brothers and sisters.

Philippians 2: 1-5 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 selfish ambition 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.

Because I am led to believe that this is an important topic in the church, we may need to spend some time grasping the magnitude of coming together as a body and stop worrying about political strife. The best way that I can keep focused and to even correct myself, is to study Scripture. Here are just a handful of verses to get us started. I hope to add to these very often so that I may strengthen my walk and hope to build up my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Proverbs 27:17 ESV 

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Job 22:21-25 ESV “Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you.  Receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty you will be built up; if you remove injustice far from your tents, if you lay gold in the dust, and gold of Ophir among the stones of the torrent-bed, then the Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver.

John 7:24 ESV  Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Romans 14:1 ESV As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.

1 Corinthians 1:10-11 ESV  I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment

1 Corinthians 7:5 ESV  Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Ephesians 4 English Standard Version (ESV)  I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,  eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Colossians 2:8 ESV  See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.