In another article in this issue, we have discussed how God brings together in His church people from every culture and language, making them one in Christ. This is a wonderful truth, and it is a triumph of the grace of God, reversing, in a sense, what happened at the tower of Babel, when God scattered man over the face of the earth by confounding their language. Now God seeks to bring man together in the church, not for earthly pride, but rather to share Christ’s glory and a heavenly calling.
All of the distinctions between various peoples have not yet been removed, however, for differences in language, culture and thinking remain, even among believers. These can sometimes cause problems, as believers from various backgrounds interact together.
Heavenly Position
First of all, there is the danger of forgetting that our position as Christians raises us above what we are by nature. Instead of looking upon ourselves as heavenly citizens, we may continue to identify ourselves primarily by our language, culture or nationality. This tends to promote competition and disunity among believers, instead of that oneness of mind that ought to characterize us. The problem is especially evident when some believers are connected by human citizenship with stronger and wealthier nations, and others perhaps are from poorer and weaker ones. This same difficulty occurred in a smaller way in the assembly in Corinth, where wealthier saints did not interact in a charitable way with poorer ones, but rather shamed them (1 Cor. 11:20-22). We must remember that the bonds we have in Christ transcend any human considerations. A man of God made a good remark many years ago when he said, “I can understand a Christian saying ‘my coat’ or ‘my home,’ referring to personal things necessary to this life, but only a believer on the lowest rung of the spiritual ladder would say ‘my country.’” If we really understand our heavenly calling, we will realize the transcending truth of being heavenly citizens first and foremost.
As nations engage in disputes, strife and warfare, it is easy for us as believers to identify with the particular country of which we are earthly citizens and to feel that the cause of that country is just. Needless to say, this tends to set believers against believers and practically denies their heavenly calling. It is falling down to the level of this world to be involved with the strife of “the potsherds of the earth” (Isa. 45:99Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? (Isaiah 45:9)). Whether we, as believers, originate from strong and influential countries or from those that are weaker and less prominent in the world scene, we need to remember that our identification with the family of God raises us above all this. Even groups in the world recognize this principle, as evidenced in the formation of such organizations as “Medecins Sans Frontieres” (Doctors Without Borders), who seek to act together with others of their profession, outside of political considerations. How much more should we as believers be able to do this!
Traditions
Second, there are often certain traditions and ways of doing things that are part of us and which inevitably creep into our spiritual lives, even though they may have no basis in the Word of God. These traditions are not necessarily wrong, but when others do things differently, we are apt to judge them, feeling that ours is “the right way to do it.” For example, in some cultures it is considered inappropriate for mature men and women to sit together in the assembly; they are expected to sit on opposite sides of the room. In other cultures, this separation is not felt to be necessary. In some cultures, certain modes of dress are permitted (not referring to modesty) which would be strange in others. In some parts of the world arranged marriages are the norm, even among believers, while in other places young people make this decision largely on their own. In none of these situations is there one viewpoint that is more right in the light of Scripture; God allows for such variations. In these cases tolerance is needed, and understanding, lest we should seek to impose our own way of thinking on others, or at the very least to look down on and denigrate those who do not conform to our way of thinking. We must not fall into the snare of thinking others to be less spiritual than ourselves, simply because of cultural differences that are not really germane to our Christian life. We are indeed called to transform culture according to God’s claims, but as another has wisely pointed out, “In order to transform the culture, we must continually recognize what is in need of transformation and what is not. This is a difficult assignment.”
Superiority
Finally, it is important for us not to think that our culture is superior, and thus try to force it on others, instead of preaching the Word of God. This does not happen as much today as it did some years ago, but it can still be a factor in our international relationships. This attitude usually stems from the mixing of our spiritual life with the politics and culture of the country in which we live and the feeling that it is superior to some others. Then, when the Word of God is preached, instead of simply knowing “Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2), there is the tendency for us to try at the same time to change the habits and lifestyle of those to whom we preach. If some of the practices of another culture are opposed to God’s moral principles, it is well and good to bring God’s Word to bear on the matter. But if it is merely that we think that our way is superior, then insisting on our own methods of doing things is really bringing in that which divides the people of God, rather than uniting them in Christ.
Because of sin, some areas of the world are ruled by unstable and even brutal and unjust governments, while others have relative peace and quiet, with a measure of stability. It is easy for those from countries with stable governments to feel a degree of smug superiority and to express this openly. While it is not wrong to identify evil, let us always remember that “if thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they” (Eccl. 5:88If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they. (Ecclesiastes 5:8)). The day of vengeance will come, for God takes note of all this. Our responsibility is to preach the Word and to reflect the grace of God. A great deal of misunderstanding and strife among believers from various nations and ethnic groups has had its source in the mixing of worldly politics and the things of the Lord. Let us avoid this at all costs and enjoy together that which unites us.
W. J. Prost