Torch, Summer 2002

12 TORCH / Summer 2002 But, those passages only begin to scratch the surface of scriptural teaching on the subject. Consider one of the most quoted Pauline passages and make special note of the context in which Paul writes it: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. … Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:1-3, 16-18). We have all heard multiple teachings on Romans 12. We’ve learned about the principle of daily surrender in the context of our personal walk with God. We’ve been taught about the principle of daily sacrifice in the context of our vocational calling, our marriages, and our relationships with our children and parents. But, what do we know about this principle in the context in which it was written? Paul is writing about breaking out of the world’s mold with respect to the way we treat one another as fellow believers . He is writing about refusing to allow conflict, strife, and selfish ambition to characterize our relationships with one another. This is necessary because those attributes are what characterize the world’s relationships. Selfishness, strife, and conflict are the definition of worldliness. Seriously consider this: Is the picture Paul paints of harmony, self-denial, and “others- orientation” the picture of your church? Is it the picture of the 21 st century Western church? Sadly, it is not. Conflict and strife are rampant in today’s church. Entire movements have sprung up within the church because of it. Some wear combativeness as a badge of honor rather than the one of shame and selfishness it truly represents. The neglect of the ministry of reconciliation— reconciliation of one to another— and the embracing of self- centeredness and nihilism have resulted in our loss of influence. For, if we are unable to love and treat one another with grace, we cannot expect to properly introduce others to the grace of God. Neither can we expect to incite in others the desire to replicate our experiences of grace. Two passages in the Gospel as recorded by John illustrate the importance of the concept of Christian community to our Lord. In one, John quotes the Lord Jesus as He teaches his disciples about servant-leadership as He washes their feet. The other is a segment of Jesus’ high priestly prayer. Consider their consistent message: A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:34-35, emphasis mine). My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are one: I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me (John 17:20-23, emphasis mine). Confronting Conflict Outside the Comfort Zone