The fundamental building block of society is communication. Whether it be verbal or nonverbal, in order for multiple persons to exist in communion with one another, communication is the tie that brings everyone together. A society without proper communication will cease to exist in the long run. Humans are this way because we are made in the image and likeness of God, who is a Trinity of Persons constantly communicating themselves to each other. Because God is love, this communication enables for eternal communion. So really, a society needs not just communication to exist, but it needs to communicate love to each other to exist without end.
When we communicate with each other, we reveal the substance of who we are to others. Jesus Himself says when speaking to the Pharisees: it is not what goes into the mouth, but what comes out that defiles a person. While Jesus is addressing Jewish puritanical practice, He is also touching on the truth that communication is a person exposing part of or all of their soul to whom they are speaking.
Yet we know that sometimes our communication causes division which obviously disrupts society. Fights amongst spouses, judgmental (or perceived judgemental) glances in public, or online disputes are just some of the many ways modern society experiences rifts in their unity. Yet, everyone is communicating their truth, (who they are). So why are we unable to have an eternal community like our Creator? The obvious answer is Sin.
Many times people see sin as just ‘bad actions’, and this is relatively true. But if we are more exact with our understanding of sin, it can be viewed as actions that are contrary to love, or how God would act. So while we always communicate our truth to others, if it is contrary to God’s Truth, eventually our truth will cause division and fractions in society, even if they are ever so minor. Now multiply these minor divisions by the sins of people world wide, and you get our current global status.
What is the solution? Communicating humbly with God.
We are created very good by God, but sin hampers that goodness. In fact, sometimes it can mask it completely. So when we communicate ourselves and we find that goodness does not come from it, then we have to examine how we need to be changed toward the Good. This is done through placing ourselves before and in the power of the Holy Trinity, the perfect communion. When we allow God to communicate Himself to us, and return, we humbly communicate all of us, the good and the bad to Him, He changes us at our request to be more like Him. He heals what has become imperfect and broken for the purpose of our unity with Him and others. He dignifies our truth by conforming it to love.
So when we find ourselves in conflict with others, we must first ask the question, ‘Is what I am communicating in accordance with God’s love?’ If the answer is no, we must humbly seek God’s help in fixing it. But if the answer is yes, we must then hold true to love no matter the severity of the persecution. Jesus faced division on many occasions, but what distinguished Him from us was that He always loved no matter the cost, and eventually, that love will triumph over all division. We have the ability to do the same, if only we communicate the same love that He did.
