Tonight the World Series kicks off with game 1 between the Yankees and the Dodgers. Not being a baseball fan I have no favorite, but I probably will watch some of the series play out. There are some who are so fanatical about their team that you might conclude the fate of the world hangs on the outcome. I find that somewhat amusing, though if put in the context of the once nearly invincible New England Patriots, the understanding shifts somewhat. (Joke!)
A much different kind of fanaticism exists in the United States today of far greater concern to me, especially when I see my fellow Christ-followers falling into the trap. We are struggling to remain a democracy where a shared love of country is overcome by tribalism – the need for ‘our side’ to not only defeat the other but to obliterate it!
What is tribalism?
It has these characteristics. Tribalism generates rigid views that cannot be challenged – a dogma about history, the economy, human sexuality, the place of religion, and general cultural and social values. Critical thinking within the tribe is viewed as disloyal, even heretical. The idea that ‘my tribe is superior, right, and must win at all costs’ is primary. The person who is thinking tribally gains a sense of belonging, his acceptance with ‘the right group’ more important than even family ties. He will eventually withdraw from meaningful relationships with others and become insulated within the faction or party to which he has joined himself. It is my opinion that tribal thinking has gripped many people from both sides of the political spectrum. Anyone who appears to be seeking consensus on issues is viewed as ‘weak’ or uncommitted or ignorant. People who think tribally replace genuine discourse with name-calling, superficial slogans, and blind recitation of accepted views.
Christian – tribalism is not the will of God for those of
us who claim to be servants of Christ Jesus!
In Jesus Christ, we find an identity that supercedes those of people groups,
nations, or political affiliations. By way of illustration of that fact, Paul
wrote "For Christ himself
has made peace between us Jews and you Gentiles by making us all one people. He
has broken down the wall of hostility that used to separate us." (Ephesians 2:14, NLT) The first generation of Christians were completely
different from the prevailing culture in that slaves and freed, rich and poor,
male and female, citizen and non-citizen sat together at the Table of the Lord.
This was not just an ideal. It was the
amazing truth. "So you are
all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ
in baptism have been made like him. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave
or free, male or female. For you are all Christians—you are one in Christ
Jesus." (Galatians 3:26-28, NLT) There is no basis for ethnic divisions in the
Church, the household of God.
Christians understood that everyone, every race, every social class, shared the same ‘disease’ (called sin) and that healing was exclusively found in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. This gift of grace eliminated any sense of superiority of tribe or class. "Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on our good deeds. It is based on our faith. So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. After all, God is not the God of the Jews only, is he? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is. There is only one God, and there is only one way of being accepted by him. He makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles." (Romans 3:27-30, NLT)
Yes, those first Believers struggled to find that unity in
Christ, that common ground. The natural tendency of humans to wear the tribal
colors crept into their congregations as we can see from Paul’s appeal to the Christians
of Corinth. "Now,
dear brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by the authority of the Lord Jesus
Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so there
won’t be divisions in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in
thought and purpose. For some members of Chloe’s household have told me
about your arguments, dear brothers and sisters. Some of you are saying, “I am a follower
of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I
follow only Christ.” Can Christ be divided into pieces? Was I, Paul,
crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul?"
(1 Corinthians 1:10-13, NLT)
Christian, we are not called just to win an election! We are invited INTO a Kingdom of greater glory, one built on gathering, not dividing, on a mutually held love of God, not on exalting a mere person or gaining a party WIN. The Bible says that God calls - "I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth— everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” (Isaiah 43:6-7, NIV) At the throne of Christ Believers will sing this anthem - “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Revelation 4:11, NIV)
We hinder God’s work when we allow our political opinions, our
race, or our ethnicity to become more important to us than our shared loved of
Jesus Christ and our longing for His Kingdom to come. I plead with you to know that you are Christ’s
FIRST. Let the Spirit’s fruit shape all
your interactions and conversations- always loving, joyful, peaceful, patient,
kind, good, faithful, gentle, and marked by self-control. (Galatians
5:22-23, NIV) As Election Day approaches,
let’s not be fans, cheering for a win for ‘our’ team, but citizens seeking to
build a better future for all.
Jesus’ call to us is the word from the Word today. Meditate on what it means to be His, to serve as ‘salt and light.’ He says - “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16, The Message)
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