When your Opponent also loves God: Discerning the Correct Path
The Rev. Dr. Jason Curry, Columnist
It is no secret that the people of God often disagree. For example, the story of the two prophets who disagreed in 1 Kings 13, the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over the role of Mark in Acts 15:36-41, the denial of Peter concerning the presence of Christ in his life in Luke 22:54-62, and the disagreement between Euodia and Syntyche, two people who worked with Paul in the Christian ministry, in Philippians 4 provide credence to the assertion that people who love the Lord often disagree. Even though Jesus instructed his disciples to love their enemies (Matthew 5:44), as members of the body of Christ, I don’t believe that Christians should view one another as enemies. However, inasmuch as disagreeing Christians may inadvertently or blatantly undermine the progress of ministry, perhaps, disagreeing Christians should properly view one another as “opponents” from time to time. The question that often confronts disagreeing Christians is as follows: What should you do when you strongly disagree with your Christian opponent who also loves God?
The following three suggestions have assisted me in moving forward with my Christian calling or mandate in the midst of Christians with whom I disagree. 1) Don’t dismiss the voice of God even if you determine that God is speaking through your Christian “opponent.” An omnipotent (all-powerful) God may choose to use anyone or anything (e.g., God spoke through a donkey in Numbers 22:28) to communicate God’s intent for humanity. We must be receptive to God’s voice whenever, wherever, and however it may be found. 2) Don’t be deterred by your opponent because your unique task in salvation history can only be accomplished by you. God has specific plans for you (see Jeremiah 29:11); therefore, seek to perform the ministerial task that God has entrusted you to do. 3). Don’t ever forget that the Christian story is a story of love and redemption; therefore, your “Christian opponent” is not necessarily a permanent opponent. Leave room for reconciliation as you search for command ground with your brother or sister in Christ.
The biblical record stated that King Josiah eventually died because he didn’t listen to the voice of the Lord, which originated from an unlikely place (e.g., the mouth of King Necho of Egypt, which is recorded in 2 Chronicles 35:20).” Let us continue to pray that we might recognize and embrace God’s voice and instruction wherever, whenever, and however it may be found.
