Faith | Don’t agree? Listen to the whole story, before you start squabbling

Divisions between Christians, of course, is nothing new. Not by a long shot.

Even the apostles Paul and Peter got into it not long after Gentile believers became part of the church. (See Galatians 2:11-14.)

Sometimes followers of Jesus clash over theology and those are valid discussions. More often than not, however, the arguments and fighting spring from disagreements over methodology and style—served up with a large helping of pride.

And just suppose these good folk had invested the time to cool their emotions and maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace? In that case, they might have agreed that the fracture was over personal opinion and taste, not defending our Christian faith’s precious biblical tenets.

Maybe it all boils down to spiritual discernment—and the invaluable art of listening.

There is a brilliant example of listening in Acts 11:1-18. In this passage, Peter arrives in Jerusalem, bringing the great good news that non-Jewish people have received the supernatural word of God.

But it wasn’t “good news” to everyone in the church. The Jewish followers of Jesus immediately began to criticize Peter for eating and hanging out with Gentiles. These believers were fired up and loaded for bear before Peter ever entered the room.

What they really didn’t realize was that they were arguing against a supernatural work of God. What they really needed to do at that moment was stand and watch God work, instead of letting loose with their criticism.

Peter’s critics in Jerusalem didn’t know or understand what God was up to. Raising his hand—and probably saying the Aramaic equivalent of “Hold your horses, guys,” the Big Fisherman began to lay it all out for them.

The Message version of Acts 11:18 says it like this: “Hearing it all laid out like that, they quieted down. And then, as it sank in, they started praising God. ‘It’s really happened! God has broken through to the other nations, opened them up to Life!’”

I like how Acts 11:4 (NIV) tells us that “Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story.” So many of our arguments could be avoided if we actually listened to one another, hearing the whole story.

Christians can criticize and separate from one another for various reasons. Depending on your search site, the Internet will provide thousands of different denominations (and non-denominations) in America.

All too often, these fissures and fragmentations are not in defense of biblical truth or vital cardinal doctrines but rather over opinion, method, and long-established tradition.

Yes, faith alone in Jesus is the only way to be saved. His death and resurrection promise new and eternal life. God’s Word, the Bible, is inspired, and every person born again by the Holy Spirit is part of Jesus’ body, called the Church.

Biblical truth is not up for grabs.

But I am still listening and learning how to relate with others when they disagree with me. I sometimes get it right. And when I don’t, true humility, according to the Bible, will always lift us up and draw us back together.

I know that Christians will have differences, but if they are “in Christ,” they are all part of the same body of Christ (whether they like it or not) and should strive to love and respect one another despite those differences. The Bible teaches unity and encourages believers to maintain the bond of peace and work together to spread the Gospel message of Jesus.

Will we disagree sometimes? Count on it. But that’s OK. Moving forward, however, we must respect and love each other, even when our opinions differ.

The plain-spoken apostle James summed it up like this: “You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” (James 1:19, nlt).

Twenty centuries later, it’s still good advice.

Rev. Micah Smith is president and founder of Global Gateway Network globalgatewaynetwork.org with offices in Richland. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Ave., Kennewick, WA 99338. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.