What happened yesterday has been replaying in my mind all night. From the videos of people fighting our law enforcement to pictures of people inside the Capitol Building celebrating that they’ve made it in. 

Yesterday, was a culmination of what we have been dealing with for the past 10 months. 

COVID has nothing to do with this. This is about how we have treated one another and the hatred we have for those who have a different belief than us. For the past 10 months, we’ve had an “Us vs. Them” mentality and it has destroyed us. It paints anyone who doesn’t agree with me as the enemy. 

We showed the world our hand. That you don’t need to attack us, you don’t need to hurt us through a calculated attack. As much destruction that those events cause, we cannot deny that they unify us and bring the American people together. The past 10 months we showed our hand which is to get us to hate one another, therefore splitting our country and government. 

We’ve seen this through the protest of police brutality. Whichever side you stand on, there was an “Us vs. Them” mentality. If you’re not with us then you’re the enemy, if you’re not with us then you’re not logical. We saw this same mentality yesterday. I’ve heard people quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,  “A riot is the language of the unheard.” This quote was used in yesterday’s riot at the state Capitol and was used over the summer during the riots against police brutality. We can’t pick and choose when we want to believe this quote is appropriate. If there’s a riot it’s because one side feels that their voice does not matter and has gone unheard. This has been used to justify our actions while we condemn the other side when they use this quote. It’s not because we don’t believe in it, it’s because we’ve come to hate those on the other side. 

Our country is broken because we have broken it.  

Broken from the top down. From our government officials, political parties, to the American people. We can’t have a discussion anymore about our views and our political beliefs. There is an immediate hatred for those who believe in something different than us and the conversations are shut down quickly. 

This is seen across the board from all political parties. Your political party and candidate isn’t innocent of this.  

We aren’t dealing with political issues, we’re dealing with a heart issue towards each other, specifically towards those who we’ve labeled “THEM”. 

If you’re with “US” there’s no issue but if you’re “THEM” then we have a problem. Our country is divided by this mentality and our country cannot be restored until we break away from this.  

How do I as a follower of Jesus respond to this? 

I’ve heard it said that Jesus flipped tables and chased people out of the temple, Jesus looked at those people as “THEM”. Jesus had righteous anger, and I believe many of us have righteous anger when it comes to the things our country has been dealing with. But the difference is that Jesus never hated those he chased out. 

Jesus didn’t engage the world with an “Us vs. Them” mentality. 

The Pharisees had this mentality, but Jesus hung out with those that the Pharisees viewed as “THEM”, tax collectors and sinners. 

1 John 2:15-17

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life[a]—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

As followers of Jesus, we need to understand more than ever that this is not our home. 

This is temporary. Because this is not our home, we live differently. While the world says it’s “Us vs Them,” God says, “Do my will.” His will is for us to live differently to make a difference in the lives of those around us. 

Romans 12:9-12

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection,[e] and take delight in honoring each other.11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[f] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” 

Notice, Paul says to hate WHAT is wrong, never does he say hate WHO is wrong. 

Our country is living where we hate the person and not the what. We can’t even get to the what because we are so focused on the who and the who is “THEM;” anyone who believes differently than I do. 

3 Things You Can Do To Make A Difference

  • Breakaway from the “Us vs. Them” mentality. Stop viewing others as the enemy.

  • Start having a conversation with someone who has a different belief. Don’t try to change their mind, try to understand why they have a particular belief.

  • Remember the way you treat others is a reflection of your heart. The way you change your heart towards others is by getting closer to Jesus and truly understanding that the cross wasn’t just for you.