The election of Donald Trump and the political divide that followed has exposed a deep and troubling issue within the Church: division over issues that, in the grand scheme of the Kingdom, should not separate us.

Whether it's debates over whether Trump is the anti-Christ or God’s chosen president, the sharp contrasts in opinion have highlighted a reality we can no longer ignore—our spiritual immaturity.

Trump did not create the division—he exposed it.

Why This Conversation Matters

Jesus didn’t call us to uniformity of opinion but to unity in love.

Agape love—the kind of love God has for us—is what keeps us united. It's the ability to stay committed to one another, even when we don’t see eye to eye.

More than ever, we need to let God’s love reshape our hearts so we can show that same love to others.

Jesus said, "By your love for one another, the world will know that you are My disciples” (John 13:35). He didn’t say the world would know us by our opinions or even our love for the world, but by our love for one another—as fellow believers.

“But truth matters more than unity!”

Correct—truth is essential. But unity doesn’t mean compromising truth. It means reflecting God’s heart in how we handle disagreements.

Jesus calls us to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), and love should guide how we stand for truth, even with those who differ from us.

“What if someone’s position is harmful or sinful?”

Loving someone doesn’t mean agreeing with their position. Jesus loved sinners but still called them to repentance (John 8:11). We can stand against harmful views while honoring the person as someone made in God’s image.

My wife and I don’t always agree, but we’re always committed to each other. And Jesus doesn’t always agree with you or me, yet He is fully committed to us. That’s the kind of love He wants us to have for one another—a love that chooses people over opinions.

Disagreements will happen. But division is a choice.

What if we became the kind of people who loved, committed, and stayed united even in our differences?

What if, instead of letting political or theological differences divide us, we allowed God’s love to hold us together?

"Sounds like you're saying we should just ignore all and any kind of false teaching as well?"

Don't be foolish. Scripture calls us to guard against these things (Titus 1:9). But even when addressing error, we’re to do so with humility and a heart for restoration (Galatians 6:1).

There’s a difference between standing for truth and being divisive.

Addressing false teaching should be done with humility, wisdom, and love, not with a critical or combative spirit. It’s about protecting the flock and glorifying God, not winning arguments or proving others wrong.

Unity doesn’t mean we agree with everything or allow harmful doctrines to take root. It means we reflect God’s heart in how we handle disagreements, ensuring our motives are pure and our actions point people back to Christ.

Truth and love must go hand in hand—neither should be compromised.

“This sounds too idealistic in a polarized world.”

Following Jesus has always been countercultural. His love was radical, and His command to love one another wasn’t conditional.

Unity in the Body of Christ is possible when we rely on the Holy Spirit, not on our own strength.

I recently spoke at a conference here in New Zealand alongside seven other speakers. We were all very different, brought unique perspectives to the conversation, and likely would disagree on many things. Yet, agape love was so evident that our differences never became an issue. It was such a delight to experience.

This small example shows that it’s possible to live this way.

Here Are 5 Practicals To Live This Out:

1. Pause before speaking When disagreements arise, ask yourself, "Am I responding in love or just defending my opinion?" A moment of reflection can transform the tone of a conversation.

2. Pray for those you disagree with It’s hard to harbor resentment toward someone when you regularly bring them before God and ask Him to bless and guide them.

3. Focus on what unites us Remember that Jesus, not politics or opinions, is the center of our faith. When we prioritize Him, disagreements lose their power to divide.

4. Choose relationship over being right Ask yourself, "What does love look like in this moment?" and prioritize maintaining the relationship over proving your point.

5. Practice humility Admit when you’re wrong or when you don’t have all the answers. A humble posture invites grace into every conversation.

Jesus has shown us the way.

When we gather around Him, we will always find unity. But the moment we let our opinions overshadow Him, division forms, and we shift to "winning arguments" instead of simply following Him.

I have a dream that one day, we will lay down our opinions at the feet of Jesus and gather around Him as one, where unity is our banner, agape is our way, and the stench of division no longer sits among us.

Holy, spotless, and blameless.

May we let His love change us so we can love each other well, no matter what, and reveal a good Father to a hurting world.

Jesus is King.