I am probably the last person in the world that should attempt to teach a math lesson. Every math teacher I had in school and college would agree with that statement, and so would my kids who I tried to help with their math homework and would my former employers. My wife would definitely agree. Nevertheless, I’m going to take a shot at sharing a simple little mathematical formula that I believe is helpful in the moment we are living in:
ADDITION + MULTIPLICATION > DIVISION + SUBTRACTION
I don’t know how well that would hold up in an Algebra I class, but I do know that it holds up in life and in the way Christ-followers live their lives. I think it is doing math God’s way. Addition and multiplication are definitely greater than division and subtraction.
Right now, division and subtraction are the mathematical principles of our culture.
Left vs. Right.
Red vs. Blue.
Progressive vs. Conservative.
Mask vs. No Mask.
Stay Home vs. Stay Open.
Vaccine vs. It’s a Hoax.
Division, or the “us versus them” mindset, dominates the airwaves (Are you Fox News or MSNBC?), our social media, and increasingly, our relationships. Division in our culture often leads to subtraction through cancel culture and the ending of relationships. People are walking away from family members, lifelong friends, and organizations because they hold a different view. Division and subtraction.
Sadly, the math of our culture is finding its way into Christ’s church and local church expressions. Rather than focus on what unites us—Christ and the need that each and every one of us has for Him—we follow the lead of culture and coat it in spirituality, believing that anyone serious about their faith must share our position. As author and pastor Mark Batterson, whose church is based in the most partisan place on the planet, Washington DC, recently stated in a podcast, “Some people are more evangelistic when it comes to their political ideology than their biblical theology.”
The reality is that when division takes place in the church, it always results in subtraction. Many will believe that “this church” or “the church” has no place for someone like me or someone who believes what I believe. Others will be “cancelled” and marginalized, as they are told, “Those views are not welcome here.” Division and subtraction are the math our Enemy likes to employ. But it’s not the math that Jesus teaches His followers. If you win the argument but lose relationships in the process, what have you gained?
While our culture may pursue division and subtraction, our church, the church of Christ, is called to practice addition and multiplication. Jesus instructed His followers to practice addition when He told them, “Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full” (Luke 14:23). Jesus said His purpose in coming to live among us was to, “Seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Jesus came to add people—like you and me—to His family, and He called all of His followers to do the same thing.
The church is called to practice addition, and we do so by bringing people to Christ. That addition leads to multiplication. In the New Testament book of Acts, we read about the start and the history of the church, and we read that, “the Lord added daily to the number who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). As the church continued to grow, it multiplied. It spread from a church to becoming many churches; it went from a few leaders to many people being trained and used as leaders. Rather than just practicing addition in the church, they began to see exponential multiplication. If you are reading this and you are a Christian, you are one result of the addition and multiplication that began 2,000 years ago! The good news is that Christ intends for addition and multiplication to continue, and the church—which includes you and me—are to be a part of that process. But we can’t add and multiply if we allow division and subtraction to come into our hearts and minds. The gospel is for people on all sides of the political sphere, and if you want to reach people on both sides of the aisle, we need to live and love people as a non-partisan church.
If you are a part of Journey Church and you have read this far, thanks! I want to say this to you as your pastor: I love and appreciate every one of you. I love you if your views agree with mine, and I love you if they don’t. I also believe that the truths of Scripture should be the foundation of our lives rather than the planks of any political party or agenda. In fact, if you only identify with every single plank of one party, are you thoughtfully and prayerfully looking at every single issue?
The reason we started Journey Church eight years ago was to help people take their next step toward Christ, to move forward in their spiritual journey. We base our vision on addition and multiplication by adding people to the Kingdom of God and our church, and by multiplying through church planting, missions, and discipleship. We want to do God’s math. If we allow division and subtraction into our culture, we will stop pursuing Christ’s purpose for His church, and will actually be working against it. I don’t want that to happen, and I am sure you don’t either. I really believe that addition and multiplication are greater than division and subtraction. To that end, I want to ask you for a couple of favors:
Before you post or retweet your latest “mic-drop” meme, stat, or quote, ask yourself, “Why am I posting this? What am I trying to accomplish? Will this post add and multiply or will it divide and subtract?”
Reflect on that thought from Mark Batterson, “Am I more passionate and evangelistic about my political ideology or my biblical theology?”
Determine to love those whose beliefs and perspectives about politics, candidates, election results, COVID, or other hot-button topics differ from yours. Jesus told His followers that it wasn’t a big deal for them to love their friends (people who agree with us)—that’s easy. His challenge to them was to love (bless) their enemies (people who didn’t agree with them).
Decide that you will practice God’s math (addition and multiplication) rather than our cultural math of division and subtraction. Let that decision influence every conversation, every post, every tweet, and how you treat the people around you.
Finally, please remember that truth is often found in the tension. When you talk with someone rather than yell at them, you will find greater perspective, and you will preserve relationships.
Church, let’s do God’s math together.