By Nigel Abrahams

Two people face each other with a number written on the ground between them. One yells: “Six!” while the other shouts: “Nine!” If they would only take a moment to consider the other’s perspective they might both learn something.

We’ve heard about God giving us two ears and one mouth so we can listen twice as much as we speak, but how can we hold back from speaking out when the issues are as important as they are? If only our greatest concern were the orientation of the numbers six or nine—that notion is rather inconsequential. Today’s concerns are much larger and people are very passionate about their views.

In Isaiah 1:18, God invites us to “reason” with Him.

Surely, then, we can also reason with each other. Now in all fairness, reasoning isn’t completely dead. When the discussion pertains to who has the best defense in the NFL or which is the best brunch spot in the area, reason still stands tall. Opinions are shared and received in a friendly manner and all parties walk away thinking they just may have to check out the other side sometime. Things change a bit when economic policy or religious liberty or women’s ordination come up. Reason takes a vacation when respectful discussions are replaced by mean-spirited, passive-aggressive Facebook posts, and opportunities to understand a different perspective are lost.

Perhaps society, and the church, finds this acceptable because they’ve set aside the value of understanding different perspectives. Why try to understand something that’s not needed? This is similar to the logic with which many approach ninth-grade algebra. And years later, many likely regret not having paid better attention to polynomial equations. Perhaps this can serve as a warning against not paying due attention to the perspectives of others.

A refresher from I Corinthians 12 may be helpful. As Paul writes to the Corinthian church, the immediate context is spiritual gifts with the underlying principle of the power of diversity. It’s simple to apply such a principle to spiritual gifts but can it also be applied to opinions and perspectives concerning the “gray” issues facing humanity today? Absolutely yes!

Once diversity in any form comes up, for many, the first thing that comes to mind is tolerance. Defined by Merriam- Webster, tolerance is a “willingness to accept feelings, habits, or beliefs that are different from your own.” However, Paul’s “one body” metaphor to the Corinthians calls for much more than that. At the very least, tolerance must grow into respect for differing views. And while respect for a different view is great, respect for those who hold those differing views is even richer. It’s respect for the person that leads us into civil conversation and that’s where understanding of another view has its beginning. As good as respect is, something wonderful happens when respect grows into appreciation of those who hold differing opinions.

Once we start to appreciate the value of those who hold differing points of view, it becomes easier to listen twice as much as we speak. In fact, we then seek out opportunities to hear what those who think differently have to say. This may not cause us to change our minds, but we will start to recognize those with whom we disagree as people for whom Christ also died.

It’s no coincidence that a Biblical chapter about love immediately follows a chapter on diversity. It’s only through the liberal application of love that mere tolerance can grow into full appreciation. Only through love will snarky Face- book posts give way to meaningful discussion. Only in love will we recognize the enormous value of seeing an issue through someone else’s eyes.

Jesus asked Simon: “Do you see this woman?” (Luke 7:44). It may seem an almost silly question. Simon was not blind. After all, he had just commented on the woman’s behavior. But Jesus’ question was far deeper than that. Do you see the struggles and challenges she’s overcome? Do you see the challenges she has yet to face?

These questions are no less important today. We don’t have to see eye to eye, but Jesus is asking us to see each other. nevertheless.

Many of this world’s issues are not going away, but as we learn to see the person on the other side of the issue and appreciate their perspective, we have a chance to resolve at least a few of them.

–Nigel Abrahams is a member of LifeSource Adventist Fellowship. He works as an IT analyst in the financial services industry.