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The world seems increasingly divided, with people on opposite sides unable to find common ground. But what if there's a deeper issue at play? What if our division isn't primarily about politics, geography, or ideology, but something more fundamental?

Two Groups: Life and Death

There are two groups of people in this world - a life group and a death group. Everyone is born into the death group. We have no say in this matter; our parents have no ability to change it. This is why we must become a new creation in Christ - it's a spiritual rebirth.

Our problems aren't primarily about political affiliations - Democrat, Republican, liberal, conservative, right-wing, left-wing. These labels only magnify our differences as humans. In many cases, the enemy uses these distinctions to ensure we remain separated, unable to come together.

What Characterizes the Death Group?

Galatians 5:19-21 describes the works of the flesh that characterize the death group: "adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresy, envy, murder, drunkenness, revelries, and the like."

When we see chaos, violence, looting, and destruction, we're witnessing manifestations of the death group. These actions don't represent order, love, or long-suffering - they represent chaos. A small number of people who go to these extremes shouldn't dictate how we live our lives.

What Characterizes the Life Group?

The life group is characterized by the fruit of the Spirit. Those who are in Christ "have crucified the flesh" - a violent death to our old nature. Crucifixion was one of the most violent types of death known to man, too inhumane to be practiced in modern times. This metaphor shows how completely we must put to death our old nature.

The life group responds to tragedy with prayer, worship, and seeking the Lord. They allow Him to sort things out rather than taking matters into their own hands with violence or revenge.

The Law vs. The Spirit

The law was given to magnify sin and teach humanity about sin. But we cannot resist sin on our own. The Bible tells us that the human heart is deceitful above all things. 

When we're saved, we become a new creation. It's an inside-out transformation rather than an outside-in job. The death group focuses on external appearances, while the life group experiences internal transformation that manifests outwardly.

How Can We Be of One Mind?

Is it possible for people with different viewpoints to have one mind? Is it possible for multiple political parties to share the same perspective?

The answer is no - unless we take on the mind of Christ. Scripture says we can do this when we're born again. When we call on His name, we will have His mind. Man doesn't have the answer; only Christ does.

How Should Christians Respond to Hatred?

At Charlie Kirk's memorial service, his wife demonstrated the Christian response to hatred: "That young man on the cross, our Savior said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' That young man, I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love. And always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us."

Romans 12:19-20 instructs us: "Do not take revenge, my dear friends. On the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he's thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

Charlie Kirk's ministry was successful because he invited the people who hated him the most to speak first. He didn't yell and scream; he wanted the best for people.

The One Answer: Jesus

There is one way to heaven, and His name is Jesus. He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

It doesn't matter what your past is. Jesus' great love covers all. When we call on His name and believe in Him, we are saved. None of our religious activities - being christened, dedicated, baptized, sprinkled, attending church camp, or going to church our whole lives - can save us. Only Jesus saves.

Life Application

If you find yourself filled with hate, anger, or frustration about current events, give it over to the Lord. Place yourself where you can minister to people as Jesus did through His life.

Ask yourself these questions:

Am I responding to events with love or with hatred?

Do I see people who disagree with me as enemies or as neighbors I'm called to love?

Am I allowing political divisions to override my Christian calling to unity?

How can I demonstrate Christ's love to those who think differently than I do?

 

This week, challenge yourself to reach across divides. Vote your faith, but also love people across political lines. Remember that love never fails - it covers a multitude of sins and will take you to places you never thought possible, enabling you to speak words you never thought you could utter and think in ways you never imagined.

The answer to hatred is not more hatred. The answer, as we know from the gospel, is love - love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us. That's our answer, and there's only one way to that place: through Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers.