What can you do when a group of people you value split into opposing factions and refuse to cooperate with each other?
It happens frequently. Political parties polarize and refuse to work out their differences while the greater good of their constituency suffers. A wife and a husband fight, to the detriment of their family. A church congregation splits between warring cliques that seem more intent on pushing their positions than spreading the gospel and healing the sick.
One might start to feel helpless when witnessing such unfortunate consequences, and even be tempted to give up on a group that appears dysfunctional. But Christ Jesus taught us that there’s something more than the lines that would divide us. Jesus faced dissent, opposition, desertion, dishonesty, betrayal, and malicious attack. But through it all, as he responded in just the right way to meet each need, he loved. He did not allow hopelessness to take over his perspective. He persisted in his cause and prevailed with love, teaching his followers that no matter what kind of attack we may endure, we can triumph over the evil faced.
