SEVEN STATEMENTS TO CHANGE THE WORLD
In a previous post, I outlined seven potentially destructive ideologies that are the primary methods being pursued to bring change. I have no doubt that those who operate in these ideologies are functioning out of a sincere desire, believing that their worldview and plan are the best, the most righteous, and the most effective possible.
The apostle Paul had a similar view of the New Testament approach to transformation in his second letter to the Corinthian church:
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:3–4)
So if we aren’t using the weapons the world does, what are the weapons that we fight with? And how did Jesus model the use of these tools to bring about change? How can we lean into them?
I’m going to describe each of these in the form of statements I believe we need to make to our broken world.
#1 – I AM FOR YOU!
So many of the ideologies operating in the world today are based on division and tribalism. It seems like the posture of our culture has become, if you’re for women, you have to be somewhat against men. If you don’t agree with every tenet of feminism, you’re defined as anti-woman. You see this same kind of polarization in every kind of ideology being offered today:
If you are for Republicans — you must be against Democrats
If you are for the advancement of Black people — you are against whiteness
If you are against sexual behaviors that the Bible calls sinful - you must be against LGBTQ people
For borderless societies — against those immigrating into our nation
For Israel — against Palestine
For Ukraine — against Russia
Or vice versa on any of the statements listed above… Can you imagine Jesus fitting into any of these polarizations?
Jesus is for you; no matter who you are! And so am I. I am for you and nothing can make me feel otherwise. Being for you doesn’t mean I agree with everything you think, say, or do but even if I don’t agree with you 100%, that doesn’t change my mind about the fact that I am for you!
#2 – I WANT A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU!
God wants to be in relationship with you. No matter who you are or where you’re coming from, He loves you and is pursuing an active and transformative relationship with you.
The truth, all positive change starts with relationships!
It’s become a trend in our generation to consider it “righteous” to block, cancel, or disassociate from someone who holds a different opinion than you. But as a follower of Jesus, I want to emulate His teaching to love my enemies, do good to those who disagree with me, pray for those who wish to mistreat me, and bless those who curse me (Luke 6).
You can be sure that if you show up in my life, I’ll want to build a bridge to you—not wall you off.
#3 – I WANT TO LISTEN TO YOUR STORY!
The first step to building a bridge is to listen. I want to do more than just hear you talk—I want to hear your heart. I want to understand your pain. I want to deeply consider your worldview. Without judgment. Without hostility. Without defensiveness. My goal is empathy and understanding.
So, just talk to me. Your story is unique. It matters to God and it matters to me. Your history is important. It should be known. It should be lamented. It should be celebrated. No shortcuts. Let’s “do the work,” as they say.
#4 – I WANT WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU!
As I listen to your story, I’ll also be praying. My heart will be to ask God to heal your hurt, restore your relationships, strengthen your systems, and breathe life into you—to give you hope and a future. I also want to do what I can to help you achieve a better outcome for your life.
This is often where things get sticky. We may disagree on the methodology or path forward. My paradigm for life is shaped by the teachings of Jesus. You may not like or agree with His approach to problems or His demands for absolute surrender of your soul. But that doesn’t change the fact that, in my heart of hearts, I truly want what’s best for your life.
#5 – I WANT TO FIND COMMON GROUND WITH YOU!
Disagreement doesn’t have to be the end of a relationship. In fact, I believe there’s almost always something we can agree on. Most relationships aren’t so polarized that there’s a complete absence of commonality. But if we wait until we agree on everything, we’ll never see the transformation of our societies.
The path forward starts by finding areas where we can agree.
I’ve seen this principle at work in married couples headed toward divorce. If they can find a project or issue where they do agree, and they commit to working together in that space, that’s where the relationship can begin to improve. Soon, there’s a second point of agreement. Then a third. Then a fourth.
Jesus taught: “If two or three of you agree... I will be right there with you” (Matthew 18). Jesus gets actively involved when we find something to agree upon.
#6 – I WANT TO SERVE YOU!
In my opinion, one of the biggest polarizing factors in our world today is that everything seems centered around power dynamics. One side wants to dismantle the current structures; the other side wants to maintain them. The struggle for power is creating both chaos and delusion.
Why delusion? Because the idea that gaining power solves everything is false.
The Christian Nationalist thinks, “When we gain power, the nation will be righteous again.”
The Marxist or Anarchist thinks, “When we dismantle the powers in place, we’ll create a truly just society.”
Simply gaining power never works. For either side!
Jesus taught a different approach to transformation. He wasn’t after power. He didn’t possess power in a worldly sense. He wasn’t dismantling systems or working out a cultural domination strategy.
Jesus wanted influence. And He gained that influence through humility and service.
The disciples were caught up in the pursuit of status and power. They constantly debated who would be greatest when Jesus overthrew Rome and established His kingdom. But Jesus could not have been more explicit about His strategy and values:
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42)
These verses are very clear: if you're a part of a movement that is trying to gain power to dominate your opponent, you’re operating in direct contradiction to the example of Jesus.
And take note as well, Jesus’ words weren’t aimed at a specific gender, ethnicity, or political group. He said “servant of all.”
Service is the key to greatness. Influence is the key to transformation. Sacrifice is the mark of true Christlike leadership.
#7 – I CHOOSE TO LOVE YOU!
It used to be that the greatest statement you could ever make was, “I love you!” As it says in the famous “Love Chapter” of the Bible:
“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13)
But in recent years, justice has been elevated as a higher priority than love. Righteousness has been placed above love. It’s almost like, “You don’t really love me unless you pursue justice for me,” or “You don’t really love God unless you stand up for what is Biblically right.”
But love is still the greatest force for change!
And it will always be the central tactic of Jesus Christ to see the world transformed. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said it well:
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
The more I study the life and teachings of Jesus, the more obvious it becomes: Love is the central challenge to everything that He asks us to do as we follow him. Often, he simplified or summarized his commands to us in this one key word - LOVE. Just consider a few of Jesus’ own statements:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. (Matthew 22:37–40)
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)
Jesus came into the world as an expression of the Father’s love. He died on the cross as the ultimate demonstration of love—even for sinners like us. He challenged us, His followers, to distinguish ourselves from the rest of the world by this choice:
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)
Those who’ve adopted ideologies apart from the teachings of Jesus now substitute alternate techniques for transformation. Some elevate justice over love. Others prioritize loyalty to ideology, public outrage, or moral resistance ahead of Jesus’ command to love.
But if we’re truly going to follow Jesus and trust His methods to change the world—we have to stick with love.
So let me end by saying it directly: I LOVE YOU!