An August 2024 Gallup poll revealed that 80% of U.S. adults believe “Americans are greatly divided when it comes to the most important values” — an all-time high since tracking on the question began more than three decades ago.

The recent election season certainly highlighted those divisions. Friends engaged in bitter disputes on social media. Family rifts spilled over into the holidays. And acrimony threatened the peace of some congregations.

Divisions aren’t unique to our time and place, of course. The Gospels document many conflicts, including among Jesus’ closest followers.

In Mark 9, Jesus confronted His disciples about a disagreement that arose while traveling between ministry locations.

“What were you arguing about on the road?” Jesus asked (verse 33).

The disciples were too embarrassed to respond, but Mark reports it bluntly: “They had argued about who was the greatest” (verse 34).

Jesus cut to the heart of the matter, saying, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (verse 35).

Our calling is not
about winning
debates, competitions,
or power struggles,
but serving and
loving like Jesus did.

John’s Gospel depicts Jesus modeling this principle in a powerful way just before His crucifixion. Taking a towel and basin, the Son of God assumed the posture of a servant, washing the feet of His disciples and telling them, “You also should wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14).

The disciples scarcely had time to process this lesson before Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (13:34).

The command to love wasn’t new. The new dimension was the example Jesus provided in setting aside His privileges to wash feet and lay down His life.

Even today, many arguments boil down to who is the greatest — whose perspectives are most valid, whose rights matter, and who should come out on top.

However, our calling is not about winning debates, competitions, or power struggles, but serving and loving like Jesus did.

As the apostle Paul put it, “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2).

In a deeply divided world, truly Christlike love stands out as remarkable, compelling, and attractive — “the greatest” of virtues (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

A servant’s posture and loving heart are the most persuasive arguments for the gospel. Those values should unite and define every church community.

This article appears in the Winter 2025 issue of Influence magazine.