There is no doubt that we live in a divided world. We may find ourselves divided along lines of nationality, politics, religion, and many other differences. When we gather with family or friends, difficult topics may arise. Sadly, some people choose to sever relationships with those who disagree with them. Others will strenuously continue to try to force their point of view on others.
Neither of these approaches is very productive, nor very Christian.
One of the things that Jesus did so well was to listen to people. He had the full Truth, in fact He is the full Truth, yet He never discounted the experience of others. He engaged with the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and others who did not agree with Him. He tried to convince them that what He was saying was the Truth, but they did not listen. As they argued, He didn’t cut them off, and He didn’t stop loving them. Rather, He joined what He was teaching to what He was doing by going to the cross. He even forgave those who killed Him, both Jewish and Roman.
How can we navigate difficult conversations in our own lives?
Like Jesus did, we must listen. We can respect the experiences of another even if they do not respect us.
Most importantly, we must love. That means telling the truth as we know it to be, but gently. If someone refuses the truth as we know it, as many did in Jesus’ day, we can react with love and not with rancor.
Cutting off relationships with people or screaming and yelling at them does not represent what Jesus did. We need to listen and to love, and to accept that others may reject the truth of Christ. We must also be open to learning from others. The truth may not be exactly as we understand it and we must be willing to adapt.
Although we might disagree with others on some topics, there are surely other topics we do agree upon. When we have “agreed to disagree,” we can move on to another topic, one that brings us together.
Above all, we must love one another with the love of Jesus. That is the example He set, and the example He wants us to follow.
