4 Steps for Bringing Healing to a Divided Nation
When Donald J. Trump took the stage late in the night to celebrate his presidential win, one phrase particularly resonated with me, he acknowledged, “It is time to heal.”
Yes, it is time to heal, and the churches of America should lead the way. The election is over, but divisions remain in our churches and in our families. Which leads us to a pressing question: How can we as evangelicals be unified and have a credible witness to the Gospel before the watching world? I would like to share four key steps that I think will start us in the right direction.
1. Let us remember that we as a nation have deep spiritual and moral issues no political party can solve.
Politics is important because politics equals policies, which equals people. This election exposed an important clash of worldviews. But, and this is critical, politics is not supremely important. Let us never expect politics to do what only the Gospel can do: to grant the gift of eternal life to all who believe. And let us never give our ultimate allegiance to any earthly ruler, because we have only one Lord and one coming King who sits on the right hand of God the Father.
2. Let us listen to one another without making quick judgments.
“Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” —James 1:19
When you have a conversation with someone who voted differently than you, don’t judge them. Hear their words and their hearts. Ask them why they felt the way they did on election night. Perhaps they agonized about their choices in this election as much as you did; this was, after all, an election in which many people had to choose which candidate they wanted to vote against.
Appreciate the reasoning of those who felt that they could not, in good conscience, vote for either candidate. Dialogue often resolves division, or at least sheds light on the differences, bringing understanding.
Don’t tell people that they are upset about the wrong issues, after all, they may think the same about you. Let people own their disappointment and anger. Seek to understand them, not to correct them.
3. Find common ground.
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” —1 Peter 3:8
Seek to find common ground in concerns we have for the good of the country, our neighborhoods, and our communities. Surely, we can agree on matters relating to human rights, freedom of religion, racial equality, and helping the poor. Let the two political streams that developed during the campaign push us toward a more unified and Christ-honoring center.
4. Pursue unity.
This is a great opportunity to prove that our unity in Christ is greater than our political unity.
Jesus prayed, “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” —John 17:21
Let us be united by the Name that is above every name. Let our unity in Christ overshadow divisions about race, gender, economic status, or strident political positions. Let those who name the name of Christ be welcome in our churches—regardless of who they voted for—and may that welcome not merely be shown with words but with deeds and attitudes.
I believe the evangelical church has much work to do in its own backyard. We pray for revival while we tolerate sin; we affirm the truth of the Gospel but fail to witness to our neighbors; we say that we love our enemies but sometimes display hate to people bound in their sins and sinful lifestyles; we affirm our oneness in Christ but many among us harbor racial prejudice in our hearts.
Let our individual and corporate repentance be what crushes our pride and brings us unified to the foot of the cross. America needs us to light the path to hope, healing, and true reconciliation. Let the bond between us be so strong that neither Kamala Harris nor our next president, Donald Trump, can tear it apart.