By Ryan Kelly –

It doesn’t take long to scroll through social media or search through Google to find people, activities or beliefs that are contrary to those of a Christ-centered lifestyle. Some anti-Christian values are easy to spot, whereas others can tend to mask themselves in a “cloak of righteousness” yet hide a sinister truth.

Political years can be among the worst about ringing false truths and disguising them as fact, and we certainly see this on a daily basis right now. What particularly bothers me is when people and entities focus on being divisive. Such would include anything that separates people in a “me vs. them” type of way, such as dividing people into races, social classes, political parties, or religions (especially divisions among Christians). For the most part, all of these are human constructs that often cause more harm than good. Sure, categorizing people in certain ways can have statistical benefit at times (i.e. lower class, middle class, upper class), but far too often these categorizations are used to divide rather than to unite. In my opinion, we do far too good of job at dividing and far worse at uniting.

Ephesians 4:2-6 tells us to “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make 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 when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

As Christians, we should make every effort to reject division and to grow in unity and love with one another. I have found that I am far more alike with most everyone around me than I am different. Everyone needs love, everyone needs acceptance and attention. We don’t have to all agree on everything, but there is no reason to cause unwarranted division just because someone tells us we shouldn’t like someone. Prove them wrong, love everyone regardless. I think we’ll find far more peace and joy when we love one another the way that Christ loves us all.