Playing nice even when others don’t

Recently, I sat in the United Nations Human Rights Council chamber, listening to country after country criticize their neighboring country for current or past wrongs. What long memories people have! Many were raising issues from 100 years ago.

Conflict is increasing these days. The Geneva Academy has identified 110 armed conflicts currently taking place. And that does not even include the polarized politics many of us experience in our countries and regions.

Even among Christians, it is easy to find criticism and conflict both within our nations and internationally. My home church has split three times in the last 20 years. Our news feeds are full of stories about Christian denominations or organizations splitting.

I recognize that churches and denominations split for many reasons, some of them very legitimate. I am not saying that a split should never happen. I am concerned when they foster anger and bitterness among Christians.

There are over 45,000 denominations worldwide. Granted, some are specific to just one country, but there are only 200 countries in the world, so you can do the math.

In our high-conflict world, what a testimony it is to see communities of people who love one another! But how do we get there?

A first step is to focus on our own families and communities. As Psalm 133 says, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” The psalmist is not referring only to our own siblings, but to our brothers and sisters in faith.

Peter also exhorts Christians, “All of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult” (1 Pet. 3:8–9a). These are challenging instructions. I feel my anger rise when I am insulted. Likewise, I get angry when I see fellow Christians persecuted for their faith. But Jesus calls us to a different way.

There always seems to be an “us” and a “them” in society and in the world. But Jesus shows us a different way. We are called to de-other “them” and love our neighbors throughout the world as we love ourselves.

As an advocate for the global evangelical community at the United Nations in Geneva, this means that I cannot respond in kind when governments discriminate against or persecute my brothers and sisters in Christ. We do address issues in a factual and forthright manner, but always with respect.

It is really a question of attitude. Instead of closing the doors to dialogue, I must be willing to listen and to engage with others in humility and openness. As my colleague Gaetan Roy always begins his meetings, “How can I serve you?” One application of serving is to have discreet dialogue, out of the public eye. In this way, we can advance solutions and gain traction with states that might otherwise discount our intervention.

I am regularly confronted with my own emotional responses to what I see as injustice and intolerance. But Paul wrote most of his letters from prison! Rather than complaining, he glorified God consistently. That is a great role model. When I feel anger, I have learned to invite Jesus to calm my spirit.

Jesus’ disciples changed the world through their servant hearts. They endured insults, hardship and persecution. How might we see the world change if we follow his example?

Janet Epp Buckingham, director of the World Evangelical Alliance’s Geneva Office to the United Nations.

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