All humans are “tribal” by nature. By that I mean we all belong, voluntarily and involuntarily, to various groups. We are born male or female, of a particular race, and we in the U.S. are born “Americans” (although the Canadians, Central & South Americans may disagree with that designation!). We are born in a certain state, city, and go to certain schools that influence who we are & how we view ourselves. Then we freely choose tribes, based on who we associate with, such a politics, faith, etc. Some of these tribal associations are positive and make us better in character, and others are destruction and downright evil in their ideology (the KKK, Nazis, etc.) Some tribes are just meant for fun & entertainment (Spartans, Wolverines), although some of us take that WAY to seriously!

But, because we are all sinners (flawed in thought, character, & actions), in every generation there are those who use our tribal differences to accuse, blame, and belittle other tribes so that they can feel better and superior (or today, raise political contributions & gain power to impose their tribal views on others). Such action causes pain, division, and brokenness, and we as Christians must recognize that as sinful and refuse to participate in such behavior. In Galatians 5, Paul lists discord & dissention as common sins of our human nature that Christians are to avoid:
19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV) Just like today, people in Jesus’ day identified with certain tribes & hated the others! (They just didn’t have the Internet to spew their hatred as we so easily do today!) The Jews acted self-righteously at times and hated Gentiles, calling them fit only for the fires of Hell! In Temple worship, the Jewish men worshiped in an area closest to the front, then the Jewish woman in the next area, then there was a wall and the Gentiles could worship beyond that. There was a friendly sign on that wall warning the Gentiles that if they crossed past that wall, they would be killed!

So, what happened to change that? Jesus came and offered God’s grace to bring us forgiveness and the power to change our hearts! (See my last blog on grace to understand that better) When we trust our lives fully to Jesus and accept God’s offer of forgiveness, he empowers us through the Holy Spirit to begin to forgive others even of the most hateful and destructive deeds. He makes us into new creations and give us a new heart with the ability to love more like Jesus loves us. He calls us to commit our lives to him above all else, and make the Kingdom of God our ultimate tribe!
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 (NIV) In the New Testament times, when people surrendered their tribal identities and made Jesus Lord of their lives and focused on His Kingdom as their main identity, they were able to forgive each other, love each other, and live together as brothers & sisters in Christ! The same has happened in every generation, and can happen today. The dividing walls can come down, and unity can happen. Look at how Paul describes this amazing transition in Ephesians 2:11-22:
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men)– 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
God changed their hearts, which changed how they saw others, and they began to love and act like Jesus! Look at Paul’s description in Colossians 3:7-14 (NIV)
7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

So, what are we to do as Christians?
We are given the task of being reconcilers in our culture!
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (NIV)
On a daily basis, we can :
1) PRAY! Pray for your enemies, those who are different, and pray that God will open your heart and eyes to see others as Jesus sees them. Prayer connects us with God and he shows us how he wants to us us to be reconcilers in our sphere of the world.
2) Watch what you say and how you say it! Use the acronym THINK: Is it True? Is it Helpful? Is it Informative? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind?
Paul says it well in Ephesians 4:29-32:
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
3) Look for, work with, and support groups and causes that are positively working at bringing reconciliation and peace to our world, not only in the U.S., but around the world.
This is not only a cultural battle, but a spiritual one as well. Pray and take up the ministry of reconciliation that Jesus has called his people to, and let’s advance His Kingdom of peace and love!