CREATIVE RESPONSES

 

The wiles of the devil would love to produce congregational cracks in church unity because of the pandemic. Some congregations have developed pro-mask and anti-mask factions, zoom only and meet in person factions, open schools and distance learning factions. The satanic tactic is not new, only the occasion has changed.

What can believers do to avoid succumbing to his tricks and indulging in God-forbidden factionalism? We can follow the advice of the Apostle Paul when faced with cliquish small groups in Corinth. He outlines his response in I Corinthians 4:12-13.

When faced with cursing, he blessed. He responded to those who criticized him by speaking well of them. We can do the same by speaking well of those who disagree with us about how to handle the pandemic.

When faced with persecution, he endured. He refused to seek vengeance or retaliate against those who opposed him. We can do the same by not trying to reprove others who vote in opposition to what we desire.

When faced with slander, he sought conciliation. He did not defend himself or build a personal faction in support of his position. Instead he sought to bring all of those in the church to a position of agreement. We can do the same by accepting the role of peacemaker in the middle of contentious days. Masks are not worth causing division in the church.

Paul’s reason for such a creative reaction was the grace of God. We who are recipients of His grace should demonstrate that magnificent grace to others and defeat the schemes of the devil. “For we are not ignorant of his schemes” (II Cor. 2:11).