Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
In Ecclesiastes 3:11, we read that God makes everything beautiful in its time. It is comforting to know that nothing is wasted in God's economy, but all of it will be used for our good and His glory. You're invited to join us for poignant conversations and compelling interviews centered on believing for His beauty in every season.
Shannon Scott (00:15.16)
Well, hey there and welcome back to Everything Made Beautiful.
Quick reminder that if you have not gotten your ticket for everything made Christmas beautiful here in Franklin on November 11th, then you want to do that soon. I just finished up a project that we are giving as a gift to everyone that night and I am so very excited. So I just wanted to remind you that we're a month away. I'll put the link in the show notes or you can go to my website, shannonsuzannescott.com for all the information and I really hope that I will see you there.
weird thing going on with my throat a little bit. So I'm going to get this podcast in under the wire because I'm a little worried that laryngitis is in my future. But today is October 14th and that means we're a little over three weeks from election day. And like we said about 2016 and like we said about COVID, this election has its own specific brand of unprecedented and never before seen possibilities. So I want to talk today about who I'm
voting for and why? Just kidding. Can you imagine? Well, I'm sure you can in fact listen to a lot of podcasts that will do just that. But today I want to talk about something a little different that's close to my heart always, but it's close to my heart these days, especially. And that is our ability as followers of Jesus to align even when we don't totally agree.
Now, for the purposes of this conversation, agreement is the condition of having the same opinion or a decision or arrangement between two or more people or groups to do something or to obey the same rules. Now, alignment is arrangement in a straight line or in correct or appropriate relative positions. So now what does all that dictionary definitioning mean for us? Well,
Shannon Scott (02:16.346)
Those of us in the faith community have got to do a better job at championing alignment rather than demanding agreement. Alignment, as followers of Jesus, is like a balanced set of car tires. Each one may differ slightly, but they work together to keep the car moving forward steadily and effectively.
Agreement, on the other hand, is like a unicycle, relying on a single point of view. It limits balance and it limits stability. But with proper alignment, like the four tires on a car, we can navigate the road ahead smoothly, handle turns and bumps, and reach our shared destination together, even if each tire has its own unique role.
Now you may be thinking to yourself, but Shannon, what about unity? That's what God wants for us as believers. Jesus said so in John 17 and unity means we're the same. But I would argue that unity does not mean we're the same. Unity doesn't mean uniformity. It means recognizing that there are many ways to honor God and that our shared love for him allows us to work together, respect each other's convictions and stay
focused on the bigger picture.
In a world that wants us divided, especially in an election year, we have to understand that unity doesn't require us to walk in lockstep on every theological, cultural, social, or political issue. I'm going to say that one more time just so we can hopefully swallow the full flavor of it. In a world that wants us divided, especially in an election year, we have to understand that unity doesn't require us to walk in lockstep on every
Shannon Scott (04:05.056)
theological, cultural, social, or political issue. We're often taught, especially in our current climate, that disagreement equals division. But what if I told you that's not the case in God's kingdom? And what if I said that our obsession with agreement on every single issue is distracting us from our greater call to love one another and to actually be unified on what does matter to Jesus? So today,
We're diving into what it means to prioritize alignment over agreement. Let's talk about why it's critical, especially now, to choose unity over division and how we can esteem one another regardless of where we stand on the issues of the day. First off, let's get one thing clear. As believers, we are called to love.
John 13, 34-35 makes it abundantly clear. Jesus said, a new command I give you, love one another, as I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another. Now notice he doesn't say, love one another if you agree on everything. Nope. The command is to love. Period. There's no caveat. We can disagree about political parties, cultural issues, and even theological nuances, but the love part is non-negotiable. And that's not just some feel-good sentiment. It's a direct order.
We're told to esteem others as better than ourselves in Philippians 2.3, to love our neighbor as ourselves in Matthew 22.39, and to bear one another's burdens in Galatians 6.2. And interestingly, none of these commands hinge on agreement. So if our differences don't stop us from being bound to one another in Christ, why do we so often let those differences drive a wedge between us?
Shannon Scott (06:06.028)
Here's the thing about theological differences.
As believers, we can get so caught up in the minutiae, can't we? Now, I'm not saying doctrine doesn't matter. It absolutely does. But the essential doctrines of our faith, like salvation through Jesus alone, are very different from secondary issues. Denominations, modes of baptism, the exact interpretation of end times prophecy, worship music, contemporary versus traditional. I hope this isn't going to be a newsflash to anyone, but we are actually
not going to be separated in heaven by which interpretation we held, what our preference was, what denomination we were part of, or what we believed about baptism. Do we really think when we're standing before Jesus that he's gonna give us a theological pop quiz? Nope. But we do get a glimpse in Scripture of the fact that we're gonna give an account for how we loved and for every careless word that was spoken. Ugh.
It's worth reminding ourselves that our politics and culture are temporary, but God's kingdom is eternal. We get so up in arms about red or blue, conservative or progressive, that we forget we are ambassadors of actually a different kingdom. Colossians 1.13 says, for he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the sun he loves.
That means while we're here, we're not supposed to let ourselves get pulled back into the dominion of darkness by allowing worldly divisions to dictate our relationships. God is planning to establish a better kingdom, one which no political candidate will be in charge of.
Shannon Scott (07:48.0)
So why do we act like our country, and many would say our world, will either be saved or put on the fast track to hell in a handbasket based on how we vote in three weeks? That's not actually a possibility. This is going to all pass away, and a new heaven and new earth will be established in its place. Why would we risk the destruction of our witness for our king by the way we treat the other subjects in the kingdom over issues that are non-essentials?
Election years are when this division becomes especially toxic. can't tell you how many times I've heard believers say, well, if you vote for fill in the blank, I don't know how you can be a Christian. Or if you support fill in the blank cause, then I can't believe you and I serve the same God. Friends, these statements are antithetical to the gospel. Jesus didn't call us to be cultural warriors. He called us to be kings.
Let me say that again. We're not called to fight each other over political differences. The world will tell you that your political affiliation defines you. Jesus tells us that our identity is rooted in him and that his love for us is what defines us. Now, before you come for me, I'm not suggesting that unity means we check our convictions at the door. Instead, it means that we hold our convictions
humbly remembering that the only banner we raise is the banner of Jesus Christ. We need to make sure that our allegiance to Christ supersedes our allegiance to any political party, cause, or ideology. So what does alignment over agreement look like practically? Well, let's go to scripture.
Romans 14 gives us a beautiful model of how to handle disagreements. Paul addresses disputes among believers over dietary laws and holy days, issues which were very divisive back then. His advice? Don't let your differences of opinion on these secondary matters cause you to look down on one another.
Shannon Scott (10:03.016)
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification, he writes in verse 19. In other words, don't major on the minors. If we focus on what unites us, our love for Jesus, our commitment to the gospel, our desire to see his kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven, then we can find alignment even when we don't see eye to eye on every detail. Now let's get real.
The world is watching us.
They want to see if our faith is genuine or if we're just as divided as they are. Jesus did pray in John 17 that his followers would be united so that the world would believe that God sent him. Let that sink in. Our unity is a testimony to the world about the truth of Jesus. So when we fight over every political, cultural, or theological issue, we are damaging our witness
in giving people reason to wonder what's so great about Jesus when we can't even get along about stuff that won't matter in eternity. There will be no camps in heaven and no tribes of earthly affiliation. There will be one name and that name is above every name.
Our job is not to convince the world that we're right on every issue. Our job is to reflect Christ and Christ loved, he forgave, he walked humbly, and he sacrificed himself for others. We need to reflect that same love and sacrifice even when we disagree.
Shannon Scott (11:44.266)
Again, when the believers are busy wounding each other, none of us are winning people with the good news of the gospel. So here are a few examples of how something like this can play out. Think about the possible different approaches to say social issues. If agreement is the goal, we have two believers who both feel passionate about addressing homelessness in their community, for example, but they disagree on the best approach. One believes
in supporting nonprofit shelters, while the other thinks the focus should be on affordable housing legislation.
But if alignment is the goal, then though they disagree on the methods, they are aligned in their desire to care for the vulnerable and fulfill Christ's call to love the least of these as referenced in Matthew 25, 40. Their shared passion for helping the homeless allows them to align and work together even if they focus on different aspects of the issue.
Now let's go ahead and address the real hot button, political preferences.
Well, if our only option is agreement, then we've got one person who feels strongly that voting for a specific candidate is the best way to honor their Christian values, while another feels differently and supports a different candidate, but also cites their Christian values. No matter how they try, they can't come to an agreement on candidates and things continue to get more and more tense. Both people love Jesus. Both people feel passionately that their vote is a matter of principle. Both people
Shannon Scott (13:22.15)
truly feel that there are critically important things at stake. Both people are posting and reposting on Facebook to warn and exhort everyone about how important it is to see the issues with the other candidate. Both are convicted that they are right. How will these two people ever agree? Well, they won't.
But if the goal is alignment rather than agreement, they can realize that they're aligned in their desire to see godly principles reflected in government and both want to honor God through their civic responsibilities. Even though they may vote differently, they align by praying for wisdom, encouraging each other to vote with integrity, and ultimately respecting each other's convictions rather than letting this fleeting political moment fracture their relationship.
May we not get to November 6th and realize that we said things we can never take back to other people made in the image of God based on November 5th. We can't necessarily agree, but there's always somewhere we can align. But what about different denominational practices,
Well, if the goal is agreement and two believers attend different churches, one is Baptist and the other is Pentecostal, they have different views on worship styles, expressions of spiritual gifts and church structure. And that's just to name a few. And even more complicated, both of them likely believe scripture itself supports their particular stances. So will these two find agreement? I doubt it.
But if the goal between different denominations is alignment, then while they may disagree on worship styles and some theological points, they align in their faith in Jesus, their commitment to scripture and their mission to share the gospel. They can celebrate what they have in common by praying together, serving their communities and building each other up in the Lord. Man, what a difference would be made across the church landscape if this were the approach of all churches and all denominations.
Shannon Scott (15:35.616)
Another one I thought of, what about parenting choices and education?
Well, if agreement is the goal, then when one family chooses to homeschool because they believe it offers a Christ-centered education, while another chooses public school to be a light in their local community, and still another chooses private school because they want the biblical worldview, these three Christian families do not agree on which is the best option or priority in education.
but in alignment, then despite their different choices, they are aligned in their desire to raise children who know and love Jesus. They can encourage one another, share resources, pray for each other's children, knowing that all three paths aim to honor God and train up the children in the way of Jesus.
And with each of these examples, all it takes is a different approach. Believers can be aligned in their deeper purpose. So you might be saying, well, this is all well and good, Shannon, and it all sounds good, but what does it even look like practically? Well, let's boil it down to this. First, embrace humility. I know, I know.
But approach any conversations where you're seeking alignment with humility, assuming you don't have it all figured out. Ask questions instead of making statements. We need more listeners and fewer lecturers. The irony that I'm lecturing in this moment and you're listening is not lost on me. But the sentiment is true nonetheless. We always need to be willing to ask, what if I'm wrong? Or what if two things can be true?
Shannon Scott (17:24.074)
Secondly, choose relationships over rightness. Sometimes it's better to be united than to be right. Now there are a few of us with a few distinct personality types that felt a little hitch when I said that statement. But the older I get, the more I realize that being right is usually not worth the relationship. Prioritize the relationship.
The things we disagree over will be gone, but our relationships don't have to be. Unity doesn't mean you agree on everything. It means you love each other enough to stay in the conversation. Thirdly, commit to prayer for those you disagree with. Now this is hard.
But if you're struggling with someone who sees things differently, pray for them. Not the God change their mind prayer, but a genuine prayer that asks God to bless them and give you both wisdom. It is so much harder for us to see people in polarizing ways when we're praying for wisdom and we're asking God to abundantly bless them. Intercession is quite a strong medicinal cure for disunity.
Focus on the essentials is the next one. You've probably heard keep the main thing the main thing. Well, focus on the essentials of our faith and then leave room for differences on the non-essentials. Whenever I think of this, I'm reminded of a quote from the 17th century that's been attributed to lots of different people over the years. But it says, in essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. And in all things, charity. That's a really good rule.
of them for election season. And then fifthly, speak the truth in love even when it's hard. If you feel called to confront someone, do it in love, not in a self-righteous or accusatory way. And it's really important to remember that God is likely not calling us to confront someone we have no relationship or equity with. And he's likely not calling us to rebuke anyone publicly on social media.
Shannon Scott (19:39.52)
A rebuke in love is best delivered within the safety of relational equity. But remember, you can be right and still be wrong in the way you deliver your message. So the in love part is paramount. Now listen, I'm not saying any of this is easy, but God never called us to an easy life. He called us to a faithful one.
So the next time you find yourself in a heated debate, ask, am I representing Christ well in this moment? Am I prioritizing unity over my need to be right? Is there a place we could find alignment even if we don't have agreement? And remember,
In the end, we won't be sorted by denominations, political parties, or ideologies. We'll be completely unified as we lift up the name of Jesus. So let's make sure we live in a way that honors that future reality here and now. That would go a long way toward joining Jesus and his ongoing work of making everything beautiful, including us. We'll see you next time.