We live in a day where tribalism is a powerful force - even within the church and among God's people. Tribalism has been defined as "the behavior and attitudes that stem from strong loyalty to one's own tribe or social group. That tribe can be ethnic; it can be political, or any group we identify with. 

This tribalism can be and has become a divisive force in our society. But, more importantly, it is dividing God's people along racial or ethnic lines, theological and political lines. The reason for our division is that we are unable to live with people whose views differ from ours. So, rather than live in the dynamic tension of differing opinions, we divide and choose to spend time creating friendships with our tribe while ignoring or avoiding other tribes.

One could say, "well, that is just the way society works." But there are significant issues with the growing tribalism we watch. First, there is the tendency to elevate our tribe above other tribes. Our political view is correct, and yours is wrong. Our view of social issues like racial justice is right, and yours is wrong. But, in doing this, we are elevating ourselves and our opinions above the views of others.

Further, in dividing, we avoid the possibility that we "see through a lens darkly," to quote Paul. Other members of God's family have experiences and views that should challenge my opinion because none of us see our world and its issues clearly. Your differing views challenge me to rethink mine and vice versa.

Our defensiveness regarding our view being right and the views of other believers being wrong begs the question as to why we are closed to differing opinions. One could say it is conviction, but more likely, our unwillingness to seriously consider the views of others is more about pride and comfort. We are comfortable with our group, our tribe, and pride keeps us from considering that there are things we may be wrong about.

But the most significant issue with our tribalism is the biblical mandate to live in unity with fellow believers. Paul writes to the Ephesians in chapter 4:1-6. "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

The foundation of our unity together is not our politics, not our life experiences, not our socio-economic group, and not our ethnic groups. All of those influence our lives and can pull us apart. The foundation of our unity is that above all of our many differences, we share One Spirit, which forms One body and worships One Lord in One faith; demonstrated by One baptism into God's family with One God and Father who is over all, in all, and through all.

This is the amazing power of God. Only He can take people from every walk of life, background, ethnic group, and political persuasion and make them One through the common Spirit that we all share. When we fragment and separate into our tribes we violate the oneness that Paul talks about. When we go tribal, we short circuit the work that God wants to do in us as he molds us into one people from many peoples. 

In John 17, in Jesus' prayer before his arrest and crucifixion, He makes a remarkable statement. "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one - I in them and you in me - so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." The model of our unity is the unity that Jesus, the Spirit, and the Father have. Further, the proof for the world that Jesus is who He says is our unity. Why? Because it is proof of God's power as he takes all of our differences and makes us into one unified body. 

But, that kind of unity is complex. In the Ephesian passage we read above, Paul says about the hard work of unity: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." 

Think about how worked up we can get over our differences. The strong words we can exchange. The attitudes we can have toward those who differ from us. And then think of this. We are called to be completely humble and gentle with one another. To be patient and to bear with one another and our differences in love. Finally, to make every effort to keep unity through the bond of peace. These are the only attitudes that make unity possible in a disunified and tribalized world. These are the attitudes you and I are called to as members of God's family.

Remember this: Jesus, the Spirit, the Father, the Gospel, and the faith we profess all stand above our differences and are the foundation for unity despite our differences. That is the miracle of what the Holy Spirit wants to do among us.

Father, I confess that I am tribal by nature but give me a greater sensitivity to preserving and building and keeping the unity to call your people to. Give me humility, gentleness, patience, and love with those who I disagree with, and help me focus on the oneness we have in You. Amen.

The question for today: How can I fight my own tribalism and  contribute to the unity of God's people?