Rekindling Virtues of Civility, Unity, and Charity

The church is not perfect, but woe to the man who finds pleasure in pointing out her imperfections! Christ loved his church, and let us do the same.

~Charles Spurgeon

I have been grieving more and more about the state of division in our culture. However, even more than culture I am deeply saddened by how this spirit of division is permeating our churches. 

We have lost the civic virtue of civility. It used to be that healthy debate was accompanied by a healthy dose of civility. I know that it would be easy to blame those others for the state of things, but the reality is each of us bears responsibility for our speech.  Civility is a virtue of the tongue.  As such it is up to everyone to demonstrate this virtue.  When it does not happen, we who take such matters seriously must not get into the gutter and fight evil with evil.  This civic virtue by itself is not the solution for the church though it may turn the heat down a bit (which would be nice).

There are two primary virtues that are missing in our dialog with brothers and sisters in Christ.  The first is unity.  So much of the divisive spirit that exists today could be stood against if the Bride of Christ would learn what it means to be unified. 

Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope, at your calling—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. Eph 4:1–6

Notice the traits of unity: walking worthy with humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit, through the bond of peace.  So much of the time over the last many months the enemy of the church has caused us to question and even deny unity.  We ought not divide on many of the issues that have come up during the last couple of years.  If Christ is our head, then we are of the same body.  That is the clear teaching of scripture.  That is a virtue that needs to be revived. 

The second related virtue that is missing often as we combat the spirit of division is charity.  Charity is also referred to as agape love.  The bent in divisiveness is to paint those that you disagreement with in the most awful and uncharitable light.  I have seen it time and again from all manner of people, all walks of life, and from all various perspectives. We are all striving to be heroes of who can be the best at insulting or demeaning others.  I fear that at times I have slipped into divisiveness as well.  Correction without charity is ugly and abusive.  We must stop.  This has become obscene and destructive.  Charity reflects genuine care for the souls of others.  Uncharity reflects a genuine care for our own opinions. Choose charity.

I fear that many have fallen into taking great pleasure in this uncivil, divisive, and uncharitable approach.  We cheer on those we agree with and teardown those that we have disagreement with.  My issue is not with the disagreement per sey. We need to offer perspective and at times correction.  I take exception with the pleasure of and the addictive nature of outrage toward those whom we disagree.  Further it is doubly grievous when we do this to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  I am disgusted with the offensiveness that passes as effective defense of each person’s perspective.  Listen if your best defense is insults and hyperbole you need to learn more before you speak.  I am downcast over the recognition that I also can become sin sickly drawn into these completely unfruitful and destructive dialogs.  We can and must do better my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. 

In summary then, in this difficult time, in which the world speeds to greater division and irreconcilable differences we, as the body of Christ cannot join our culture in its natural bent toward destruction.  Ours is a higher calling.  We must rekindle virtues of civility, unity, and charity.  When we do there will be a light bright and clear to a world of darkness.  I have not attained this ideal, but I challenge each and every one of us to press on to this higher calling.

God Bless You

~BJ Olson