We live in a world that celebrates strife. Western culture has so rewarded conflict that there are lucrative careers to be had solely in criticizing “the other”. The other tribe, the other group, “those people”. Too often, an “us versus them” mentality isn’t seen as just a necessary part of life, but the most morally correct way to live and navigate the world.
And, disturbingly, this is also common within Christianity:
Theological liberals versus theological conservatives.
Protestant versus Catholic.
Our faithful Christian tradition and understanding versus those false teachers, those wolves among the flock.
Should that be the case?
It is certainly true that there is an “us” and a “them” within Biblical Christianity. This somber theme is all over the Bible.
For example, you have Jesus’ parable of the Sheep and Goats in Matthew 25:31-46. Or you could look at the distinction in Revelation 20:11-15 between those whose names are in the Book of Life, and those whose names aren’t in the Book of Life. We could go on and on!
So: There definitely is an “us” and a “them” in the Kingdom. There are those who are actually in the Kingdom, made right with God by grace through faith. And there are those who aren’t in the Kingdom. But that doesn’t necessitate “us versus them.” In fact, Scripture calls us to the exact opposite.
(I’m going to emphasize a few different phrases of the following passages.)
Listen to the words of Paul:
2nd Corinthians 5:16-21: From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
or again,
Ephesians 6:11: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
or the worlds of Jesus:
Matthew 5:43-45: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Do you see it?
Real Christianity both acknowledges that there is an “us” and a “them”, AND it emphatically speaks against an “us versus them” mindset.
Biblical Christianity is “us FOR them, to the glory and praise of God.”
You can’t love God and not love those who are “other.” You can’t love God and not love those who have a different worldview or value set from you.
Is it hard to live that out, all the time? Absolutely. But that needs to be our aim and our goal; it’s what Christ calls all Christians to do.
And so, I’ve set up the following broad categories to better explore this theme. Let’s grow in this together!
Suggested “Rules of Engagement” for Talking with People Currently Outside the Christian Faith
Your testimony is powerful! But testimony alone isn’t enough: Muslims, Buddhists, etc have testimonies, perceived personal experience with the divine. You need something beyond just this.
Two Common Questions About Missions
There are two BIG questions that people tend to want answered before they become missionaries: 1) Is God “calling” me? And 2) What would I do? Question 1: Is God “calling” me? Or, What do you do when you feel a “call of God”? Or, What does it mean to “be called”? Many Christians seem…
TR Hartley 
Leave a comment