Paul always wished “grace and peace” to the people receiving his letters.

And no wonder! Because whether you’re living through Pandemics and Polarization in the Twenty-First Century, or through Polarization in the First Century, you need grace and peace.

For example, when Paul wrote to the church in Corinth—a city in modern-day Greece—Paul said, “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2).

Why did the people in Corinth need grace and peace? Polarization.

The word “polarization” didn’t mean that Corinth was infested with polar bears. The word “polarization” means “division into two sharply distinct opposites.” For example, “the opinions, beliefs of interests of a group or society . . . become concentrated at opposing extremes.” (Merriam-Webster).

Sound familiar?

In his letter to the Corinthians in the First Century, Paul urged them to overcome the polarization in their church. Among other things, they argued and divided into factions about:

—which teachers and leaders to follow;

—how to overcome sexual immorality by believers;

—how much to “go along, to get along” with people who believe differently;

—how much to “go along, to get along” with people who follow other religions;

—the behavior of women during public worship;

—the behavior of those who speak in tongues during public worship; and

—the different treatment of followers of Jesus based on their wealth and social status.

What a mess!

And yet, Paul himself pastored this church!

When a pastor today gets discouraged by how many problems arise in the church they are pastoring, I remind them of the many problems that arose in the church in Corinth—even though Paul himself pastored them for a year and a half! (Acts 18:11).

What remedy did Paul recommend to cure this mess? To overcome these divisions and factions? To overcome this polarization?

Love!

How does love overcome polarization?

Love is patient with people, even if we disagree with them.

Love is kind to people, even if they belong to a competing faction.

Love does not envy people who are wealthier than us.

Love does not boast about how wealthy we are.

Love is not proud of our wealth and social status.

Love does not dishonor women by denying them equality with men or by limiting their role and authority in the church.

Love is not easily angered by those who disagree with us.

Love keeps no record of wrongs by people in a competing faction.

Love does not delight in evil in order to justify criticizing people in a competing faction.

Love rejoices with the truth, even when we have to concede that people we disagree with are telling the truth.

Love always protects, even those in a hostile faction.

Love always trusts, even if we must trust people in a hostile faction.

Love always hopes, even when people have betrayed our hopes in the past.

Love always perseveres, no matter how many times hostile factions succeed in the short run.

And so, in the long run, love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

Paul’s wisdom about love was written specifically to “all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:2).

Nevertheless, this wisdom about love should guide all those who seek wisdom, regardless of which religion, philosophy or ideology they embrace.

This wisdom about love should guide all people, all families, all nations, and all Humanity. (Romans 1:20; 2:13-15).

Each person, each family, each nation, each civilization needs the amazing grace that only love can give.

An amazing grace that is patient and kind towards others.

An amazing grace that is not easily angered.

An amazing grace that keeps no record of wrongs.

An amazing grace that brings peace—shalom—to each person, each family, each nation, and each civilization.

Each person, each family, each nation, each civilization needs this peace which passeth all understanding—this shalom that only love can bring and sustain. (Philippians 4:7 KJV).

Shalom is the fruit of this love that does not envy others, does not boast about ourselves, and does not puff ourselves up.

Shalom is the fruit of this love that does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, and is not easily angered.

Shalom is the fruit of this love that keeps no record of wrongs.

Shalom is the fruit of this love that always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Shalom is the fruit of this love that never fails.

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To learn more about grace and peace, please read my blogs “Grace and Peace—Galatians” and “Grace and Peace—Thessalonians”.

As a warning about those who misuse the words “love” and “forgive” so they can manipulate and abuse those who love them and forgive them, please read my blog “Abusing People With the Word ‘Forgive’”.

To learn more about how women should be treated equally with men and should have equal roles and authority with men in our churches, in our families, in our nations, and in our civilizations, please read the chapter “Paul Blesses People Despite Sin’s Curses” (and the related Appendices) in my book Lighting the World.