Identity is a big part of human nature. It gives us that feeling of belonging and participation, which is why various identification sectors affect our community. Gender, Occupation, Race, Tribe and many more have come to significantly impact our society, but it is essential to understand that these things do not matter in Christ.
1Corinthians 12:12
Over a couple of weeks, there have been some noticeable divisions within the Nigerian community. The aftermath of the nation's general and gubernatorial elections has created a backlash that has forced people to pick sides. While we will not go into specific details about the event, the reality is people have resorted to picking sides with their own tribe, culture and homeland.
All over social media, we see people even from the Christian faith picking sides. Insulting words and gestures are being thrown back and forth. It has become a sad sight to see. Understandably, each person feels the urge to defend his or her own clan or kinsman in the same vain condemn others, but is that what Christ taught us to do?
Tribes at war are not new scenarios. Before, during and after the life of Jesus on earth tribes have always provided division in society. The Bible provided us with some of them such as the 12 tribes of Isreal, Jews and Gentiles, and even sects such as the Sadducees and the Pharisees. They all had reasons to be at loggerheads with each other, just have we have right now, yet the coming of Christ eliminated such differences
Galatians 3:26-28
Chapter 15 of the book of Acts provided a simple event of tribe eradication in Christ. The Disciples concluded that no one has to undergo any biological change such as circumcision to believe in Christ or to be a Christian. If such liberty of love and salvation was provided to us, why are we not showing such love to others?
Matthew 22:37-39 charged us to love our neighbours. The Bible did not talk about loving our kinsmen, or our tribesmen but our neighbour. There is the understanding that our neighbours might come from a different state, tribe, or even religion, but we are still compelled to love them regardless. This is the second greatest commandment, according to Jesus.
It is important that we always remember that we are to be like Christ and follow his word every time. This means when we are in the Church, at home, when we are alone or awake at past midnight on social media. We are to show love, in our words, actions and thoughts to others at all times. We should keep it at the back of our mind that we are first ambassadors for Christ and heaven before we even represent our tribe or culture, 2 Corinthians 5:20.
So as we identify as Christians, we should come to the terms of being Christian fully. This includes loving all without division and practising the understanding that there is NO TRIBE IN CHRIST
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