Us vs Them

I had this conversation last night and thought I'd type it up and maybe expand on it or not depending on how my memory works.

We, in the Christian realm, at times have an 'Us vs Them' mentality. It is evident in some church business meetings. We saw it during this election cycle. Why are we warring against each other? 

As Christians, aren't we all 'US'? Christ prayed in the garden before His crucifixion.  "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me." John 17:20-21

We, as Christians, saved by grace, are all 'US'. Jesus prayed that we would be one, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. Could it be that the world isn't believing because we aren't showing unity? I'm not bashing or pointing fingers, I'm simply asking a question.

Jesus also said, "By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35 We know that throughout church history there has been strife and division. We toss our hands in the air and say, 'it's who we are'. Maybe so, but is it who we're suppose to be?

We are all on the same team. We have one head coach, Jesus Christ, but we each play different positions. Some are on offense and others on defense. Some are trainers while others may be water boys. An effective team works together for a common goal, victory, a win, a championship, or whatever goal they may have. We've seen sports teams implode because they do not work together. We've seen churches fall apart because they choose to not strive toward a common goal. Again, not pointing fingers or criticizing. 

So, if we are the US, who is the THEM? Simply put the THEM are those who aren't US. The men and women, girls and boys who haven't received the gift of salvation from the God who loved them and demonstrated that love that while they we're still sinner Christ died for THEM just like He died for US.

Do we hate THEM, dislike THEM? Are we scared of THEM or ashamed of THEM? Well...we shouldn't be. Throughout His ministry, Jesus hung out with sinners. When He was questioned about it, He said "the healthy don't need a doctor but the sick". Matthew 9:12. 

We, or US, are called to be witnesses (Acts 1:8) and to make disciples of all men (Matthew 28:19). So, in all reality, there shouldn't be an US vs THEM battle. Instead we should be loving THEM like Christ and in doing so inviting THEM to become like US, saved by grace in order to share grace with other THEMS.

Just a few verses to encourage US.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:13-14

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 

for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28