It is not pleasant to consider, but it’s obvious today – the United States of America – and in fact, much of the world – is savagely divided. Superheated fissures fracture across numerous political viewpoints, personal conduct, and even whether or not anything exists that can be regarded as truth, especially when one adds the word “absolute.”
We all hold a perspective. How can we know we have the most accurate one?
Here’s a thought: I recently had a conversation with a retired senior FBI agent. He talked considerably about how divided America was – politically, intellectually, even morally. He was agitated, concerned, and thoughtful about the present and the future of America.
He didn’t directly quote the scripture, but he alluded to the words of Jesus in Matthew 12:25 – noting that a nation divided against itself cannot stand.
So what does that mean for us? What can we personally do?
We shape, mold and fashion our lives according to our perceptions and our perspectives. Which perspectives are true? Which are false? Which are misleading?
One could make a case that we live today in a 21st century Rashomon effect.
The famous 1950 Japanese psychodrama movie Rashomon is considered one of the greatest movies ever made.
The movie portrays how people can sharply interpret a critical event in dramatically different ways.
In the movie, a murder takes place. But four eyewitnesses all have their own take on what happened, which all differ dramatically. Each presents subjective, alternative and contradictory versions of the same incident. One of the main takeaways is that people see things, process them, and interpret them occurring to their own backgrounds, standards and experiences.
Which one is true? Well, there’s the rub. The movie – which resembles life today – examines how different eyewitness perspectives can be.
A quick look at today’s geopolitical events sadly demonstrates how the Rashomon effect is alive and well today. Whole groups of people hold energizing but completely opposite political and societal perspectives.
Like in the movie Rashomon, people regularly create and vigorously present subjective, alternative and contradictory versions of the same incident.
With different eyewitness of big history claiming radically different perspectives, we live in the midst of a giant living Rashomon movie. It affects us deeply, whether we want it to or not.
So what is our perspective? Is there a means to be truly confident that our perspective is correct?
Thankfully, we have the lifeline of the preserved words of God. We have a reliable source that gives us strength, confidence and most importantly, hope. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:18, “we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
That’s a completely different perspective from many people today.
How is that biblical perspective demonstrated? Each of us plays a critical role in demonstrating God’s perspective in action. One can believe that we are called to be open living examples of God’s powerful truth.
Peter authoritatively tells us that we are to be “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (I Peter 3:15).
But here’s the important assumption he makes: you and I are actually going to be doing things that make us individually stand out. We are – as Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior tells us – to be a city on a hill, to individually be a light to the world.
As Nobel Prize winner Albert Schweitzer once said: “Example is not the main thing in life—it is the only thing.”
Talk is cheap. Example is power – especially when personal behavior runs contrary to everything around us.
Where people are cursing their lives, their surroundings, their lack of hope, disciples of Jesus Christ are to be actively demonstrating the biblical liofestyle in real time. In increasingly dark and lawless days we are told: “Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.”
The point? People should be able to see God and Jesus actually living in us, the very “mystery of the ages” referred to in Colossians 1:26. It is intended that this divine influence be openly perceived. That’s a hard task. I’m sure many people could cite my personal flaws.
Even if we miss the mark – as yours truly openly personally recognizes – why is it important to keep trying?
When we succeed, we become force multipliers by example.
A living example is important because it’s exceedingly difficult to change a perspective. Once a first impression is made, it requires extraordinary targeted multiple efforts to change it.
As one psychologist wrote in Psychology Today magazine: “Deep change is hard. Each side fervently believes that his/her way is the only way; a disturbing dynamic because it blurs the truth and places winning above reality.”
Here’s a critical point as the author continues: “Have you ever noticed that when you debate someone, particularly on topics of a political or religious nature you are not simply arguing with “one” person about “one” issue? Rather, you are arguing with an individual’s entire life history and all the people that have influenced that person along the way. Specifically, the way they were raised, their life experiences, their families of origin, and even their mentors. How can you possibly have much of an impact?”
Quietly demonstrating a way of life that brings peace, that brings hope, that brightens a room – that gets people’s attention. They wonder why – in a darkening world – someone can care, that someone can be positive.
What’s our takeaway? To be marvelously effective, we don’t have to determine that we are going to individually preach the Gospel. We simply live God’s way of life out in the open.
Paul gives us a framework to change ourselves that will accomplish this in a wonderful way.
It’s discussed in the third chapter of the book of Colossians. These are instructions that represent deep personal deliberate choices that we are to make.
Since Jesus Christ is living within us, Paul tells us in verse 1 of chapter 3 to “set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” That’s really easy to pass right over. To get context, read the entire 4th chapter of Revelation for a detailed description of what Paul’s talking about. There’s a lot of power and unspeakable majesty going on there.
In verses 5 through 9, Paul tells us what NOT to do.
But in verse 12, Paul’s gets very explicit. He talks directly to you and me today. He says look. You – meaning everyone in this room within the sound of my voice – you are divinely chosen. You are holy and set apart by God Himself. You are dearly loved by the mightiest Beings in the known universe and beyond.
So, Paul says, “put on” or “clothe” yourselves with key attributes. The Greek work “Put on” or “clothe” is transliterated endyo (Strongs G1746), which is a Greek verb that the embodies the sense of “sinking into a garment.”
So what are we supposed to sink our lives and consciousness into? This is the reputation that each one of us in this room is supposed to have.
We’re supposed to manifest things which are in short supply in our present world. These include:
Compassionate hearts – we are emphatic to everyone.
Kindness – we take the extra step to serve without wanting anything in return. In a world where everything is generally harsh, we become bright lights who selfless serve. Little things count!
Humility – a huge one. We are told to esteem others higher than ourselves in everything. We are to become like little children, believing the best! Peter goes the same route – in 1 Peter 5:5 he tells you and me – “clothe yourselves with humility”
Meekness – being teachable, easy to work with. I was at the Good Earth health store in Indianapolis a couple of weeks ago. A very fit and imposing man was filling up a large container from a granola bin. I was planning to buy some, but his container was bigger than the bin. I thought, “well that’s that – nothing will be left.” As I turned, he looked up at me and said, “Did you want some of this?” Surprised, but resigned that I wasn’t getting any, “I said, yeah, but that’s okay.”
He then shocked me. “He said no, come here and help yourself. There are too many [fill in the blank with a pejorative plural noun] in the world and not enough gentlemen.” I found myself wondering why he would do that, when he clearly could continue whether I liked it or not.
He changed my perspective by being meek.
Paul goes on in Colossians 3 with a big ask – demonstrate patience, especially among brothers and sisters in the faith.
We’re supposed to forgive one another.
We are told that we “must forgive.” It’s not an option. If we have a problem with that, we need to be asking for spiritual strength and help.
The capstone? “Above all” Paul says – put on/clothe – there’s that fullness of sinking into a garment again – AGAPE – unconditional love (Strong’s G26)
The presence of that spiritually inspired love allows us to let the peace brought by the Messiah – the anointed one of God – to RULE, to dominate, to conquer our hearts. And that, by natural progression, allows us to be thankful, which is overt impression of appreciation and thoughtful contentment.
The words of God hold inspirational power – they ignite in our minds. They change us.
And finally, here’s the summation in verse 17: “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Check yourself. How many things have you done today in fulfillment of that specific direction of Paul? That’s tough, isn’t it?
But here’s the main point. If we really do these things, surrendering ourselves to God’s will, believing and doing, then we don’t have to worry about promoting the truth. The net outcome of doing this is astonishingly attractive. In a darkening world, light attracts attention. Light doesn’t have to say anything. A lighted city set on a hill in a world that is opaque and shadowy will automatically seize someone’s attention.
It will cause people to ask questions. What is this hope that you have? Why to do have hope?
And when people see you doing it, being a light, you can change a perspective.
As we go through the week ahead, let’s be about our Father’s business. Let’s embrace the power to change perspectives.
By Michael A. Snyder
(This post was adapted from a church presentation by the same name. If you would like to view the video of the presentation, click here.)
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