are the lyrics to Tear Down the Walls,
a song on Hillsong’s newest album. This
song perfectly captures my main reasons for going on the World Race. I want to see walls torn down – both in my
life and in the lives of others. There
are so many walls in this world, walls that divide us and keep us fragmented
and separated from each other. There are
walls in the church too. These walls
allow only certain people in while keeping everyone else out. They separate us from those who are different
from us.
Jesus
came to tear down walls. His desire is
for all people to return to the Father.
He also desires a church that is a radiant bride. Bride – singular, not plural. The church is supposed to be a single entity,
with all its parts being united in heart and mind under Christ.
Why is it that we so often seem to be
working directly against unity?
Sometimes we put up more walls than we tear
down. Tearing down walls is hard. It takes guts. It takes vulnerability. It means that we must accept those who are
different than us. Lately God has been
speaking to me about my own struggles with accepting differences. I am beginning to see that just because
someone has views that are different
from mine does not necessarily make them wrong.
Yes,
I do believe that all beliefs and viewpoints need to be measured up against
Scripture. But the issues I am talking
about are those that are in the gray areas.
People have different interpretations about what certain parts of
Scripture mean and about how certain aspects of a Christian’s life are to be
lived out. These are the issues I am
talking about that can be different but not necessarily wrong. I think that on these issues we need to give
a lot of grace. Instead of assuming that
the other person is wrong, I believe we need to act in humility and love and
attempt to understand where the other person is coming from. When we assume that we are the only ones with
the right view, we build walls between ourselves and others. This is the opposite of what we should be
doing. Paul writes in Romans 12:9-10,
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is
good. Be devoted to one another in
brotherly love. Honor one another above
yourselves.”
Let’s
tear down the walls that separate and divide us. I challenge you (and myself too!) to practice
loving and honoring others above yourself. Yes, it will be difficult and painful; dying
to our old self always is. But we gain
so much more than we lose.
Tear
down the walls see the world
Is there something we have missed
Turn from ourselves
Look beyond
There is so much more than this
And I don’t need to see it to believe it
I don’t need to see it to believe it
Cause I can’t shake this
Fire deep inside my heart
Look to the skies hope arise
See His majesty revealed
More than this life there is love
There is hope and this is real
I don’t need to see it to believe it
Cause I can’t shake this fire burning
Deep inside my heart
This life is Yours and hope is rising
As Your glory floods our hearts
Let love tear down these walls
That all creation would
Come back to You
It’s all for You
Your Name is glorious
Glorious
Your love is changing us
Calling us
To worship in spirit and in truth
As all creation returns to You
Oh for all the sons and daughters
Who are walking in the darkness
You are calling us to lead them back to You
We will see Your spirit rising
As the lost come out of hiding
Every heart will see this hope we have in You
Cause I don’t need to see it to believe it
I don’t need to see it to believe it
Cause I can’t shake this fire burning
Deep inside my heart
This life is Yours and hope is rising
As Your glory floods our hearts
Let love tear down these walls
That all creation would
Come back to You
It’s all for You
Glorious
Your love is changing us
Calling us
To worship in spirit and in truth
As all creation returns to You
