Deal or Divide?

How do we get on with those who are different from us, especially if they are quite close? 

Several news stories identify the difficulties we face, living in a world where there are many problems.

Negotiators are meeting in Doha, to try to sort out a deal on Climate Change issues, while thousands in Britain are facing floods and much more rain.

Regional elections in Spain have revealed the separatists desires of the Catalan people who want independence from Spain. These pressures are worse because of the problems in the Spanish economy.

Tory strategists fear the effects of UKIP on anti-Europe Tory voters. To avoid this, one Tory strategist to suggest the need for a deal with UKIP. 

And then there is the recent failure of EU leaders to agree a budget for the EU. Those who are net contributors (= the rich!), don't want to support the net benefactors (=the poorer nations), so they want to cut the EU budget.

In all these situations, trying to negotiate a suitable deal with people whose situations may be different is going to be troublesome.

St. Paul had to address this issue many times, within the context of the growing and diverse Christian communities all round the eastern Mediterranean.

To the  Christ-following Galatians, he laid it on the line. 'Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.' (Galatians 6.14)

To his Roman friends, he was equally clear. 'Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbour, you will fulfil the requirements of God’s law.' (Romans 13.8) But what does this love look like in practice?

To his very troublesome Corinthian friends, in his famous 'Hymn to Love', he set out the practicalities of Christian love. 'Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.' (1 Corinthians 13.4-7)

In Christian history, we have a very poor record of dividing from those with whom we disagree. It is easier to please our own supporters, rather than making a deal with other Christ-followers who are different from us. Paul's words 'Love does not demand its own way' challenge us all to work out how we can work for that unity which Jesus longs for us all.

Today, we will all come across trying and difficult situations or people, some of whom may well be fellow Christ-followers. Working towards and Christ-honouring deal may take time and patience, but we are called, by Jesus himself, to that style of living.

Best wishes,

Richard