Looking back on the year of 2020, one thought keeps coming to mind.  To me, it was the year of the Great Divide. And it wasn’t just in one area, but many.

My mother-in-law was in a nursing home. Each visit we had when the pandemic started was hampered by her being inside her room and us looking through her window. She did not understand the situation so our conversation was one-sided and consisted mainly of us just watching her. It was heart-breaking not being able to cross that divide.

Another area of divide that still exists today is the whole pandemic thing. It has caused division within our lifestyle, our family activities, and the opinions of everyone. One person believes in using masks, another doesn’t. One person believes in gathering in crowds, another doesn’t. And I could go on and on.

The most divisive part of the year was the politics. What had been building for years fully erupted. Even among professing Christians, so many became very upset over all that was taking place. Being forced to choose between conservative views that included a very outspoken, divisive voice and a dignified voice pushing anti-Bible beliefs was polarizing.

How I wish we could agree to disagree. How I long for unity, especially within the body of believers. Unfortunately, many of the things that divided us are still ongoing. So, what are we to do?

The answer to every situation of life can be found in God’s Word. I urge you to study 2 Timothy 2.

Paul is teaching young Timothy great life lessons. He is urged to be strong in the Lord. He is told that he will have to face hardships as he stands strong. He is told to not get caught up in the affairs of life that will distract him from the real battle of the One who enlisted him. He’s told to remember the main thing – Jesus Christ, risen from the dead. And in doing that, he should not dispute with words, but to have a true understanding, expounding the Word of God. To avoid empty chatter, that leads to a spreading gangrene, leading many away from God. To embrace the role God has purposed for him, speaking skillfully and patiently to guide others to truth and repentance.

How does all that apply to living a Christian life in a divided world?

1. Study God’s Word. Seek His truth and avoid spreading the opinion of humans, including the promotion of our own if it is contrary to God’s Word.
2. Seek to fight the only battle that really matters – the Lord’s.
3. Speak words of affirmation, edification, and love that comes from repentance and faith in Christ instead of judgement and condemnation.

The only division we should really be concerned about is the one great divide that lasts for eternity.  My mother-in-law, who was separated from us for so long, crossed into eternity on Christmas day. Because of her trust in Christ Jesus as her Savior, she is now eternally secure in her new home. For those who do not trust in Christ, their eternity will be a division from Christ that can never be mended or crossed.

That division is the one we should be speaking the most about.  We need to be telling everyone about the love of Christ. We need to proclaim the death, burial, and resurrection of a Savior that can forgive and save. Divisions in this life can be mended, or at least tolerated, if we agree to disagree. But the division between eternal life or death can never be dissolved. That great divide lasts forever.

2 Timothy 2:1-26 NASB

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful people who will be able to teach others also. ³ Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him. ⁵ And if someone likewise competes as an athlete, he is not crowned as victor unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶ The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. ⁷ Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. ⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, ⁹for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. ¹⁰ For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. ¹¹ The statement is trustworthy: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; ¹² If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He will also deny us; ¹³ If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. ¹⁴ Remind them of these things, and solemnly exhort them in the presence of God not to dispute about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the listeners. ¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. ¹⁶ But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ men who have gone astray from the truth, claiming that the resurrection has already taken place; and they are jeopardizing the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His;” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to keep away from wickedness.” ²⁰ Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver implements, but also implements of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honor while others are for dishonor. ²¹ Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be an implement for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. ²² Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ²³ But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. ²⁴ The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, ²⁵ with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.