Friday, February 17, 2017

Understanding and Embracing Identity In Conflict

This past week I watched a clip of Senator Marco Rubio addressing the Senate. He stated, “we are reaching a point in this republic where we’re not going to be able to solve the simplest of issues, because everyone is putting themselves in a corner where everyone hates everybody.” I believe he was absolutely right in his assessment of the divisive trends that are being displayed in our culture. If we do not figure out how to better relate to one another and defuse the conflicts that are moving to tear the nation apart, we will only experience continued destruction in our societies and who knows what catastrophes that may lead us to as a nation.

The reason why these issues and the debates surrounding them have become social war zones is because they are so close to our hearts. Some of the things we debate are issues we believe are intertwined with our very personhood or those who we care for. So these debates become deeply personal and then provoke very emotional, often times, impulsive responses.  There’s a fundamental belief that these issues define who we are and who others are, which make it seemingly impossible to discuss these topics without it becoming a personal matter. As long as this is the reality we hold to, civility is an impossibility. Now, how can we separate who we are from the issues we debate?

We need to fundamentally understand that we are not simply the sum total of our beliefs, our lifestyle choices, our occupations, our opinions, etc. Although we typically consider such things to be core aspects of who we are, that’s what puts us in “corners” doomed to conflict with others. But, where can we find a construct of personal identity that is separate from all those things and supplement our identity. The only solution I’ve found is Jesus.

There are two aspects of identity within the Christian faith that I want to call your attention to.

1) We are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26)

What that specifically means is a blog for another time, but I want to focus on how this can and should affect our conceptions of our own identity as well as our view of others. The value that God has given to you in creating you is not something that anyone or anything can take away. This truth is the ultimate source of human dignity. So, if some disagree with our opinion about politics for example, our self-worth isn’t being attacked, its secure. With an understanding of us being made in the image of God, with an imparted value from God, our worth is never threatened. Therefore, we can be at peace even in the midst of conflict. Worst case scenario is that we may not persuade or effectively defend our perspective as well as we had hoped, but that’s not the end of the world or the end of what gives us worth.

Also, ignoring this reality is why we tend to demean others in the midst of discussion.  We tend to reject the idea that “those people” are made in God’s image too.  We assume a difference in equality, imagining that we are in a position to look down on “them”. When we do that we are really demeaning the creative work of God Himself. We need to keep the universal value God has instilled into all humanity in mind as we debate. No matter what someone’s opinion is, or what they've done, that God-image is still there and demands respect. If we do not treat our fellow creations with dignified we disrespect the One who created all of us.

2) By grace through faith in Jesus, we are “in Christ”


The phrase “in Christ” is used seventy-six times in the new testament of the Bible. Attached to those “in Christ” statements are an amazing abundance of explanations concerning how that transforms our identity. “But I’m not a follower of Christ”, you may reply. Well, this issue of identity is one of the reasons why I pray daily that those who don’t know Jesus, would come to know and trust Him.  Jesus is the only source of untouchable significance and security. Being “in Christ”, with all the implications of that truth, equip us with an identity that enables us to truly engage in conflict peacefully because the longings we have for our identity can be satisfied. Shaky identities that can be compromised or lost just lead us to impulsive, emotionally driven, abusive behavior when conflict arises. 

I see examples of abusive and undignified engagement on both sides of every issue that has become a battleground. Every time I see such displays, my prayer has been that those who know Christ, would truly understand their identity and the identity God has given to others (even those apart from Christ). And I pray that those who don’t know Christ would be lead to receive Christ and take hold of the identity He provides. I’m convinced that Jesus is the only hope for peace. I know that many unfortunately will continue to reject Him, and I know that even those who profess to follow Him will fail to apply the identity they’ve received in Him. But, I strongly believe that the pursuit of peace is so closely intertwined with the pursuit of understanding and truly embracing the identity offered to all people by faith in Jesus Christ. So help us, God.

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