“Tom Hanks should disown his son!” I have read that quote more than once on Twitter. The reason people believe that Tom Hanks should disown his son is because his son is a conservative republican. Tom Hanks, as far as the public knows, is a liberal democrat. He has a beautiful and respectful relationship with his son. So, why would people think he should disown his son because his political beliefs are different from his? We live in a polarized society that lives at a middle school social level that if you do not 100% agree with someone, you should cut them out of your life. The problem with that idea is that we lack wisdom, knowledge, and the ability to love people.
In the book of James, we are informed that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God. The problem is that many people may not recognize that they lack wisdom. They may have a lot of knowledge, but they lack wisdom. They may have been the valedictorian of their high school, but without wisdom, they refuse to allow those with differing viewpoints to partake in their lives. That is foolish. If you do not understand what those with differing views believe, how can you manage to understand how other people live their lives? How can you learn?
Wisdom demands understanding. We must strive to understand people, even if we do not agree with them. There are life circumstances that have brought them to their beliefs. Jesus understands us, or as the advertisements tells us, He gets us. He gets us because of his wisdom, he understands us. He understands us because he walked with us. You begin to understand people when you walk with them. You open yourself up to see the person for who he or she is without prejudgment. When you listen and understand people, they are more open to listening and understanding you. It’s how many people have come to know Jesus.
Along with wisdom, we must strive to always learn and to continue to gain knowledge. One way to learn is to listen to people who think and believe differently than you. Ask them questions without being sarcastic or mean. Be genuine with your questions. What is it that has brought them to this place and idea? Where can you learn more about their ideals? What books can you read?
I have discovered that with reading books that align with what I believe is great because it strengthens my thoughts. I also have read books that do not align completely with my beliefs or ideals. If I ask people who don’t believe in the Bible to read it, but if I haven’t understood their beliefs, then how am going to expect them to read a book that I believe? Reading is not dangerous. Not reading is dangerous because it keeps you in the dark from information that can guide you to understand others in life.
Knowledge will lead you to understanding. To know how and why others believe what they do simmers your anger. You realize that their life experiences align with their beliefs. This helps in explaining to someone how Jesus can change their life. It’s difficult to explain to someone that Jesus will change their life and make it better when they believe that their life is perfect. You have to admit to your imperfections and that you are always willing to learn and gain knowledge to understand another person.
“Knowledge puffs up but loves build up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1, CSB) It’s unfair that I use this verse after I just wrote to get knowledge, but you must understand that with your knowledge you must still show love to people, especially those who are different from you. Without love, your knowledge is useless. This is where many Christians struggle, including myself.
For years, I relied on my knowledge as a Christian. I tried to force people to believe and think like me. I discovered the danger of desiring everyone to think and believe like me when I started to add wisdom and love to my knowledge. Knowledge helped me understand who God is and what a Christian life should be. Wisdom helped me understand the grace that God has for me, and the grace I need to have for others.
Love will never disown someone because he or she believes differently than you. Love respects someone who is different and listens. Love listens. Love respects. Love does not have to agree. Love does not insult. Love finds common ground.
Common ground can be that you have the same interest as someone else. Love can be allowing someone to live their beliefs without insulting them. Love does not insult and call people names. Once you insult and are mean in conversations, it shows your lack of knowledge, and you lose the debate. Love allows people to live without affirmation of their lifestyle. Love does not demand. Love invites. When you begin loving people, you will see that you can love them even when they believe differently than you.
Tom Hanks and his son both set an example for us all how two people can have a strong relationship with different agendas and beliefs. You should never disown or block those who think and believe differently than you. Invite them into your life and space. Learn from them and let them learn from you. Jesus taught everyone he encountered. He didn’t demand. He invited. Love with the love of Jesus and watch your relationships flourish.
No comments:
Post a Comment