Jesus’ first disciples were divided politically. Well, at the very least a few them were. Simon (not Peter) was a Zealot. That meant he was committed to resisting Roman rule. He’d have abhorred sell-outs, like tax collectors. Matthew was a tax collector; in Simon’s mind, he was a collaborator of Rome and a traitor to each God and Israel.
When they each began following Jesus, their identities were transformed. Their primary allegiance was now to Jesus. I’m sure they carried over among the remnants of their worldviews. They’d still have a look at things in a different way. Yet, they were capable of love each other and do ministry together because Jesus was superior to every other affection.
What can we communicate if we, believers, divide over issues that usually are not central to the gospel? We communicate that our political allegiance is of greater value to us than our kingdom loyalties. I believe we all know this, though. That’s why we are likely to demonize those that produce other opinions than us. And it’s why we are saying things like, “You can’t be a Christian and vote for X.” But by doing this, we find yourself tying our salvation to something apart from the finished work of Jesus.
Would it not be higher for us to be united across the gospel of Jesus and let these other opinions, allegiances, and worldviews fade into the background?
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