This message (also in video), is about effectively sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ online where the whole world is watching; and it all stands or falls on our witness on social media and Zoom fellowships.
The fire of this message is the cry of Jesus’ heart as it was revealed on his last day on earth.
After his last supper with his disciples, knowing that soldiers were coming to arrest him, knelt down, washed their feet and then commanded them to love one another as He loved them.¹ The apostle John defined what that really means when he said: By this we know love, He laid down His life for us; we also ought to lay down our lives for one another.² He told his friends: By this all will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. ³
That same fateful evening, Jesus prayed for all his disciples—present and future, asking five times that we would be one.⁴ Why was that so important to him? He tells us plainly two times in his prayer: that the world may believe that You have sent Me . . . that the world may know that You have sent me. ⁵
Such deep concern for our oneness, in his final moments on earth, reveals how paramount this was to our Lord. Shouldn’t it also be paramount to us?
Love is Paramount
Far too often, we, as believers in Jesus—when online, aren’t conversing together in oneness. We’re at odds with one another over countless things we talk about trying to prove that: “I’m right and you’re wrong.” All this does is create a climate of tension which easily leads to more negative emotions. People get hurt and their faith is weakened—all because we don’t know how to love one another in conversation.
People think that being right about things is what really matters. But does it? In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he says that we can understand all mysteries and have all knowledge, but if we don’t have love, we are nothing. He says knowledge puffs us up, but love edifies; knowledge will pass away, but love abides.⁹
So in light of this and the cry of Jesus’ heart, listen carefully to how Paul, James and Peter flesh out in practical terms, what loving one another should look like:
Love in Practice
We are one body, members of one another, diligently preserving the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.⁶ We, with all lowliness, are gentle and long-suffering, bearing with one another in love;⁷ kindly affectionate, not self-seeking; honoring and giving one another preference.⁸ We do not do anything by which one stumbles, is offended or made weak.¹⁰ We are quick to hear and slow to speak,¹¹ not wise in our own opinion;¹² aware that we only know in part and thus we need each other. ⁹ We defend our Hope with gentleness and reverence,¹³ not thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought.¹⁴
Oneness Stems from Love and Accepting Mystery
Now with the above picture of love in our minds, note how Paul emphasized that our oneness is based on our love. He says, “Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; doing nothing out of selfish ambition. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” ¹⁵
To be one—or like-minded, means having the same love, i.e. the same commitment to love one another regardless of our differences. And about our differences . . . Paul emphasized that we only know in part, that we see as in a dimly lit mirror.¹⁶ Our oneness depends on accepting mystery as a valid component of our faith. This affects our attitude. It helps us accept that we don’t know it all.
I see it like this . . .
We are all given pieces of God’s grand puzzle. It’s only when we share our pieces with each other do we begin to see God’s grand revelation. This humbles us as we, perhaps for the first time, really start listening to each other, being attentive to what the Holy Spirit is saying.¹⁷
Guidelines to a Christ Honoring Conversation
1. Listen and Contemplate
Beliefs are very personal and part of our identity. People can be very sensitive about them, some more so than others. To publicly disagree with a person can be hurtful, embarrassing and taken as a personal rejection. It could discourage one from speaking again or to leave our fellowship. Remember: It is good to not do anything that stumbles, offends, or makes one weak.¹⁰ So to minimize offenses, why not forgo saying “I disagree” or “I respectfully disagree.” We can have great, tactful discussions without saying these phrases.
When we disagree with someone: a wise and loving response is to “be quick to hear and slow to speak.”¹¹ Contemplation is honorable; it doesn’t mean we agree with everything, instead it warmly depicts respectful thought. Proverbs says, “Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, is considered prudent.”¹⁸
Paul said that when we come together, “let two or three speak and let the others “weigh” what is said.”¹⁹ “Weighing” implies prayerful reflection. Wouldn’t you want others to weigh what you think is true or important before they dismiss it outright—especially in the presence of others? Many times I’ve said things when I should have reflected, and later I regretted it. If we are to err on one side or the other, why not play it safe and “weigh”¹⁹ things as Paul said? . . .
2. Make Room for the Meek
A loving, accepting, and faith nurturing atmosphere encourages the quiet and timid ones in our midst to share their priceless treasures—those the Holy Spirit has shown them. They have as many pieces of the puzzle as anyone and we need to hear from them. They’ll share if they feel safe, knowing they won’t be publicly critiqued for revealing their thoughts—things dear to their hearts.
3. Adopt the Language of Learning
It is best to express ourselves as learners, not as authorities. Dogmatic assertions hinder dialogue, whereas humble words welcome it: Here are some inviting ways to introduce our thoughts in a conversation:
I think . . . I believe . . . As I understand . . . In my opinion . . . As I see it . . . To me . . . At this point in my life . . . Maybe there’s two ways of looking at it . . . Just a thought . . . What if A & B is like this or like that . . . Have you considered that a point “C” may also be possible?
Such expressions invite participation.
Consider this sobering thought: It’s equally possible that the person we think we disagree with on a matter, is in fact, the one who is right about it. It’s the Holy Spirit’s role to lead us into all truth in His time.¹⁷ Our role is to listen and “weigh” things as Paul said, especially when they differ from what we currently think. This is our opportunity to learn or to receive correction.
In Closing
Is it possible that Christ-honoring conversations, when centered on the Good News of Great Joy for ALL people,²⁰ will unify believers everywhere as all previous differences pale in comparison? Think of the impact we would have if Christ Honoring Zoom fellowships grow and multiply into thousands of groups across the world? (This message is also a video).
Thank you for hearing me.
Please consider the wisdom of John Wesley in Theological Diversity as a Means of Grace, especially the last four paragraphs.
Gerry Beauchemin 11/10/2020
References
1 1 John 13:34
2 1 John 3:16
3 John 13:35
4 John 17:11; 21-23
5 John 17: 21, 23
6 Ephesians 4:2-16, 25: “There is one body . . . one Spirit . . . one hope . . . one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all . . . in us all . . . who gave gifts to men . . . for the building up the body of Christ till we all come to the unity of the faith . . . that we should grow up . . . in . . . Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the building up of itself in love . . . we are members of one another.”
7 Ephesians 4:2
8 Romans 12:10
9 1 Corinthians 13:2; 8:1-2; 13:9-13
10 Romans 14:21 NKJV
11 James 1:19
12 Romans 12:16
13 1 Peter 3:15 NAS
14 Romans 12:3
15 Philippians 2:2-3
16 1 Corinthians 13:9-12
17 Nehemiah 9:20; John 14:26; 16:13; 1 John 2:27; Luke 24:32
18 Proverbs 17:28 NAS Also 12:23; 21:23; John 16:12
19 1 Corinthians 14:29 RSV
20 Luke 2:10