Christlike Wisdom in a Complex World
Dear Graceview family,
The journey to becoming Christlike requires us to wrestle honestly with scripture, history, and the Spirit’s guidance in our present lives. Patriarchy, for instance, has shaped our human development, and there is beauty in the stability it has brought to families and societies throughout history. Yet, our understanding continues to grow, and we need humility to recognize that our values today are not necessarily wiser than those of the past.
The Bible, after all, is a living word. We need living wisdom from God to navigate today’s complex landscape, as we seek to understand what is Christlike, even when scripture seems to present multiple perspectives. Harrell Jordan captures this with profound insight:
Genocide is biblical. Loving your enemy is biblical. But only one is
Christlike.
Slavery is biblical. Chain-breaking is biblical. But only one is Christlike. Patriarchy is biblical. Counter-cultural elevation of women is biblical. But only one is Christlike.
Retributive violence is biblical. Grace-filled restoration is biblical. But only one is Christlike.
Segregation is biblical. Unity is biblical. But only one is Christlike. Christ transforms, not the Bible. Be wary of those who know one but not the other.
Meanwhile, the path of Christ can be challenging and counterintuitive. In Luke 12:51, Jesus tells His followers, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” This is a hard saying that pushes us to acknowledge that unity and segregation might take on unexpected forms within our church and in society. We often strive for unity, but sometimes, following Christ’s truth can lead to division. This challenges us to rethink our finite understanding of unity and
segregation, especially as we interact with the world around us.
Could our understanding of what it means to be Christlike be limited by our own biases or cultural assumptions? May we humbly allow Christ, rather than societal values, to shape our understanding of unity, justice, and love, so that our lives reflect His will—good, pleasing, and perfect—and bring glory to Him rather than to ourselves.
In Christ’s transforming wisdom,
The Rev. Eric Lee
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind.”
- Romans 12:2 NIV
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