When did this happen?

I don’t know when it happened. I don’t know how it happened. I don’t know why it happened. But it happened. I don’t know if we can go back. Are we too far gone? Life was certainly better before it happened. What am I talking about? I am talking about this cultural norm where people cease to be people if they do things or decide things that we don’t think they should have.

“Those liberal wackos want to destroy our country.” “Trump voters are hateful bigots.” “That addict ruined their life.” “She’s nothing but a no good slut.” Chances are you’ve probable heard or maybe even said some or all of these things said. If I’m being honest it makes me sad. I am heartbroken over the state of our society.

I was scrolling social media the other day and I realized after about 10 minutes that every post I had read was simply a stone throwing session as someone the poster didn’t agree with. Yes 90% of the posts were political with people from the left and the right side of the aisle going back and forth at each other, but it led me deeper down this train of thought. When did we lose the ability to see people as people?

I know Tidal Creek is a different church. We do things and make decisions that other churches wouldn’t. I’m not saying whether its good or bad, right or wrong, but its different. One of the things we strive for is to see everyone as a person, and by extension a creation and child of God. Psalm 139:13-14 says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” David’s words are clear. The creator took immense pride and intentionality in creating him. The same is true for every single one of us.

It’s time for personhood to be the first thing we see again. It’s time for us, especially in the church, to stop defining people by their thoughts and actions. We are all messed up. We all have made choices and done things we are not proud of, and none of us desire to be defined by them. So why do we do it to others? Why do we define others based on their political ideals, their behaviors, or what religion they follow?

I believe it is because the enemy is executing a carefully crafted plan. He is cunning and crafty as 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” The devil’s thought is the more division he can sow in us, the less effective the Body of Christ will be in fulfilling our evangelistic mission and calling. And (SPOILER ALERT) he’s absolutely right. The absence of love and increase in division has made evangelism way harder. Christians are defined as “judgmental hypocrites.”

If we are to see a healing in our communities, I believe, it needs to start with us in the Body of Christ. We need to make a conscious choice to see people the way God does rather than defining them by choices and/or behaviors. I am not advocating the acceptance or toleration of sin. We must continue to stand on the truth of God’s Word. However, God’s Word plainly shows us that loving others is the key which makes evangelism and discipleship possible.

My encouragement for all of us is that we would look for ways to begin the reversal of this course in our communities. It may be small and seemingly invisible. Hopefully in the future we find ourselves asking, ‘when did this happen?’ but in a positive sense instead.