“What the world needs now is love, sweet love …” That may not be a Bible verse exactly but I think the song lyrics express a Biblically based and badly needed message. I doubt the level of divisiveness in America today is at an all-time high, but I sure wouldn’t want to see it any higher. Surely the church should set a high bar for how we should love each other. Pastor David Rawls reminded me of Paul’s advice in Romans 14 and 15 on just this topic which Pastor Rick Warren captured in his 2012 article, “Six Secrets for Becoming a Loving Church”:
1) The church is committed to building each other up.

2) The church recognizes the value of every person.

3) The church stays focused on what is really important.

4) The stronger church members limit their liberty.

5) The church does not insist everyone agree.

6) The church accepts one another.

Some of these are easy to understand (though hard to do at times). Think about how much better we would all be if everyone (especially all “Christians”), spent time every day building others up, recognizing the value of every person, not insisting that everyone agree but that everyone accept one another (items 12, 5 &6 on the list). Think of the doctrinal wars we would not be fighting within and between denominations. Think of how this might impact the church’s role in community. Think about how the church which seems to get the most press in political news seems the exact opposite of each of these statements. No wonder we’re polarized. Where’s our Christian leadership? Where’s our imitation of Christ?

How do we reconcile and end this divisiveness? That’s where the harder to understand and harder to do items 3 & 4 come in – stay focused on what’s important and stronger church members limit their liberty. How do we do this? Here’s a few modest suggestions.

On #3: What’s important? We know that – Love God and one another. Jesus was crystal clear on that one. If we are questioning any policy, opinion, decision; if we are about to weigh in on an argument, ask ourselves if the approach we are taking shows love to God and all people. If not, rethink our position.

On #4: Stronger church members limiting their liberty. This comes from Paul telling us, for example, in Romans 14:20 that even though, as Christians, we are not subject to the Jewish dietary restrictions, we should not make another person “stumble” by what we eat. In other words, even though we believe that something is OK in God’s eyes, we want to be careful not to keep someone else from finding God because of our behavior. So, be considerate of another’s beliefs, even if they are not your own. My suggestion – if you are absolutely certain of your righteousness and another’s unrighteousness – pause to consider, before doing, or saying anything – how can I help bring this person closer to God, how can I model God’s unconditional love for me to them?

Not certain that the world needs a little love right now? Not certain what God wants you to do in the world right now? Wonder what to tell your Congressman, Senator, or neighbor? Read 1 John 3: 11-18, and remember: God loves you unconditionally! 
Mike

Today’s reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+3%3A+11-18&version=NRSV

To see Pastor Warren’s original article: http://pastors.com/six-secrets-for-becoming-a-loving-church/