I would love to claim that as a Christian I'm immune to the influence of popular culture, but I can still be petty about people who sin against me, my family, or friends. “I can’t believe you said/emailed/posted that about me/my family/what I'm doing!” If I’m honest, in that moment, I don’t want them to be blessed or forgiven. I want thunder and lightning, at least until the Holy Spirit convicts me and I cry out “How long O Lord will I be stuck thinking like this?” But this is not what God wants or expects from me or you as brothers and sisters in Christ. WE are to be the light of the world in dark times and have been specifically placed in this very location at this very time so that the world may see how we LOVE each other and know that God is God. So how do we become the living counterculture to the predominant culture?

We must strive at all costs for love and harmony among ourselves. Consider the possibilities from this unstable Connection Group from the first century church existing in a time much more volatile than ours.

Acts 13: 1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

We don’t always pay close enough attention to these introductory verses to a chapter in the Bible, but please don’t miss this collection of local church members-no one in their right mind would think to put these brothers together in small group.

Legitimate Enemies: Barnabas, an early church leader known for his encouragement and generosity, and Saul, recently converted to Christianity, but formerly the most well-known hands-on leader of the Jewish persecution of early Christians. Now I don’t know if Saul knew before his conversion who Barnabas was, but Barnabas absolutely knew who Saul was- the one religious legislative man ravaging their community. You may have problems with someone in church for some event in your past, but it’s unlikely that they ever drug a friend or family member out in the street and had them beaten and arrested.

Political Rivals: Manaen was “brought up” with Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great who had all the boys less than 2 years old killed to prevent the recently born Jesus from rising to power later in life. Herod Antipas, himself, had John the Baptist beheaded, and prior to Jesus’ crucifixion, wanted Jesus to perform for him. When Jesus didn’t, he sent him back to Pilate to be crucified, but only after he beat the mess out of him. I wonder if Manaen was ever criticized or instantly rejected for supporting such a tyrannical political family? It certainly wasn’t a deal breaker in the church at Antioch.

Racial Tension: Barnabas was a converted Hellenistic Jewish Levite from Cypress. Simeon of unknown origin, but described as “Niger”, almost certainly referring to being black skinned. Lucius from Cyrene in North Africa. Manaen a Palestinian and Greek Herodian. Saul a converted Hebraic Jew from Tarsus.

If there was ever a small group ripe to explode all over itself, it’s this one. Except that’s not what’s happening here. The Gospel has created something new and different that the world had not seen before or could comprehend. And if we are to be the light of the world in 2021, we must not give in to how the world behaves.

There will be tension among us. You can love Jesus deeply and still get in some scrums, but it only serves to remind us we still need a savior. We’ll always need to connect with God through prayer, fasting, and worship like the church at Antioch as He provides the divine difference we’ll need to appear as aliens and strangers in a broken world. And as recipients of God’s gospel of grace, we must be able to extend grace to others, give others the benefit of the doubt, fight the urge to make war, look for the silver lining, pray for our enemies, speak life not criticism, encourage even if we disagree, consider others better than ourselves, be committed to love, service, and patience. By the grace of God, we can do it. Shine on.