Tension!

I've been trying to put a name to it for several weeks now and finally have come to the word "tension". We are living in a time of significant tension.

Now, I'm keenly aware that there have been times of great despair and tension throughout history - holocaust, wars, genocide, famines, etc. By no means am l looking to downplay those times or overplay our current situation but this seems like one of the most tense times that I recall in recent history.

Think about all of the tension:

• school vs. no school

• mask vs no mask

• COVID vs Faucci Consipiracy

• Black Lives Matter vs. Blue Lives Matter vs. All Lives Matter

• Trump vs. Never Trump

• Democrat vs. Republican

• Systemic Racism vs. Individual Racism

• Monuments vs. Tear Them Down

We seem to have come to a point in time where we all think we are right. As a result, we're unwilling to accept anyone who does not agree with our point of view or join us in the fight against those infidels who will not agree with us. And not only do we think we're right, we're going to tell the world on our social media accounts.

Just so that we're clear - That's not working out so well for us!

We need to be people who display much more grace and see people first and not positions (on a topic). To my Christian brothers and sisters, we have much motivation to do so. Even if you are not a follower of Christ, I think it's the right thing to do (and if you don't agree with me, I'll still listen, love and care for you).

From a Christian perspective, I think there are several things to consider.

First, this started a long time ago. Genesis 2 and the Fall created the ultimate tension. Everything was calm and peaceful and then sin entered the world through an act of disobedience. However, even if we consider the Fall and sin, I think its inappropriate to just leave it as "Well, we're all broken due to sin and there will always be tension". While this is true, we are still to display a Kingdom that is present now and is to come.

Second, we know how this all ends so let's live as people that don't have our hope or assurance on people or the things of this world. Revelation 21 reminds of a wonderful day that we should long to see and when tension will no longer be present:

• Revelation 21:1-5:  1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Third, if we know the beginning and the end, how then shall we live? As followers of Christ, we should live as people of grace because it is that grace which we have experienced.

The Gospel motivates us to be people of reconciliation.

• Ephesians 2 - 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

• 2 Corinthians 5 - 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Let's pause for a moment, take a deep breath and think about it......."18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation":

Are you adding to the tension of this world or are you living out a "ministry of reconciliation"? If we consider our command in the Great Commission, I'm unclear how we can "go and make disciples" if we only see someone's position on a topic and not the person first.

Finally, I would also encourage my brothers and sisters to recognize that even as followers of Christ, we can have different opinions on things of this world. Our call is first and foremost to love one another and display that love to a world that desperately needs it. If we consider all of the "one another" commands throughout scripture, I'm quite certain that our tension would ease and many would want to know and experience that love. By the way, the following list applies to the universal body of believers, not just those in your immediate faith family. This means that I am to love, be devoted to, honor, live in harmony with, build up, accept, care and serve our brothers and sisters who may differ with me relative to political affiliation, COVID philosophy or degree to which we fight against racism (which is another blog one day).

• Love one another (John 13:34 - This command occurs at least 16 times)

• Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)

• Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10)

• Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16)

• Build up one another (Romans 14:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:11)

• Be likeminded towards one another (Romans 15:5)

• Accept one another (Romans 15:7)

• Care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25)

• Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)

• Bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2)

• Clothe yourselves with humility towards one another (1 Peter 5:5)

• Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:2, 32; Colossians 3:13)

• Be patient with one another (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13)

• Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15, 25)

• Be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32)

• Consider others better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3)

• Look to the interests of one another (Philippians 2:4)

• Bear with one another (Colossians 3:13)

• Comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18)

• Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

• Show hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9)

• Pray for one another (James 5:16)

My recommendation - let's be uncomfortable with the tension in which we currently live. Let it motivate us to be people of grace who see people first. I truly believe the tension will begin to ease!