It's ironic how knowledge is capable of hindering learning. A great challenge is presented for those who have gained understanding to keep their minds open to new ideas which could also be true. We were born needing and wanting to learn, and it's possible along the way we have latched onto deceptions we are convinced are true. In a world filled with deceit, conspiracies real and imagined, and boldfaced lies, when we find the truth we ought to hold fast to it. Followers of Jesus Christ have the Bible which is a source of genuine truth with does not change, and how privileged we are to have a fixed point of reference as the wind direction and sand continues to shift.
A question for believers is how to best deal with those who hold to faulty interpretations of scripture and their minds are closed on the matter. The first perhaps is to realise you too may be that person; you have been that person. I have been rigid in belief where God is flexible, and I have harshly judged people to whom God gives more grace. Haven't your views changed over the years? God was patient in His sovereign manner in teaching us, and we ought to give Him time and space in faith to teach others as well. Romans 14:1 says, "Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things." Paul went on to explain there is unity in Christ between those who eat meat or only each vegetables, between those who observe a day as special and others have no such conviction. I could add to the list those who drink alcohol and teetotallers, those who believe the earth is round or flat, or concerning eschatology. Each of us are called to be convinced in our own mind, not expend all our energy in trying to make others agree with our opinion.
But they are plain wrong, something inside you protests. And they are leading people astray by their beliefs or example! Ah, but they are not leading you astray, correct? How concerned we can be about the beliefs of others when it is before God alone we stand or fall, and God is able to make others stand. Romans 14:3-4 says, "Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand." It is clear God makes allowances for differences we judge as wrong: should we reject whom God has received? Our personal convictions matter, and the convictions of others matter too. Most of the time these differences of belief have nothing to do with the nature of God or the Gospel but are topics of far less importance. If you are willing to go to war and die concerning a matter of opinion or interpretation with a believer, you may be the extreme and unbalanced one. If someone else is preoccupied with a particular doctrine and you are preoccupied with them, what is the difference? We all need Jesus!
Paul went on to say in Romans 14:10-13: "But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God." 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way." Knowing someone is family changes our perspective about them. We have been made one with Christ through faith in Him, and we are part of the same body. Instead of trying to trip up others or push their buttons, to shame and humiliate over opinions, we are to edify one another in our holy faith. In Christ we have much more in common than the combined total of our differences in perspective, opinions, or preferences. We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ where we will give account for ourselves before God - with no mention of others or their beliefs.
If you become aware of a difference in doctrine or practice, we should be careful to avoid offence in that area. Love dictates that if I know someone is a vegetarian, I will consider this when preparing a meal for them - even if I enjoy eating meat. It is not an opportunity for me to win them over to my view by preparing select cuts. If I know someone has sworn off alcohol, it shows kindness to avoid drinking around them. Our differences need not be a constant topic of conversation since the love of Christ binds us together as brethren forever. There is naturally in all of us a desire to be heard, to show ourselves right and others wrong, to stubbornly hold our ground, and frankly to a large degree this springs from pride. Love is quick to listen, slow to speak, and is not easily angered. Instead of being a grief to others, let us follow the exhortation of Paul to love one another and walk on a higher plane of grace as Romans 14:17-18 explains: "...for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men." If we desire to be approved by men, how much more should we desire to be acceptable to God by walking in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit!
A question for believers is how to best deal with those who hold to faulty interpretations of scripture and their minds are closed on the matter. The first perhaps is to realise you too may be that person; you have been that person. I have been rigid in belief where God is flexible, and I have harshly judged people to whom God gives more grace. Haven't your views changed over the years? God was patient in His sovereign manner in teaching us, and we ought to give Him time and space in faith to teach others as well. Romans 14:1 says, "Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things." Paul went on to explain there is unity in Christ between those who eat meat or only each vegetables, between those who observe a day as special and others have no such conviction. I could add to the list those who drink alcohol and teetotallers, those who believe the earth is round or flat, or concerning eschatology. Each of us are called to be convinced in our own mind, not expend all our energy in trying to make others agree with our opinion.
But they are plain wrong, something inside you protests. And they are leading people astray by their beliefs or example! Ah, but they are not leading you astray, correct? How concerned we can be about the beliefs of others when it is before God alone we stand or fall, and God is able to make others stand. Romans 14:3-4 says, "Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand." It is clear God makes allowances for differences we judge as wrong: should we reject whom God has received? Our personal convictions matter, and the convictions of others matter too. Most of the time these differences of belief have nothing to do with the nature of God or the Gospel but are topics of far less importance. If you are willing to go to war and die concerning a matter of opinion or interpretation with a believer, you may be the extreme and unbalanced one. If someone else is preoccupied with a particular doctrine and you are preoccupied with them, what is the difference? We all need Jesus!
Paul went on to say in Romans 14:10-13: "But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God." 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way." Knowing someone is family changes our perspective about them. We have been made one with Christ through faith in Him, and we are part of the same body. Instead of trying to trip up others or push their buttons, to shame and humiliate over opinions, we are to edify one another in our holy faith. In Christ we have much more in common than the combined total of our differences in perspective, opinions, or preferences. We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ where we will give account for ourselves before God - with no mention of others or their beliefs.
If you become aware of a difference in doctrine or practice, we should be careful to avoid offence in that area. Love dictates that if I know someone is a vegetarian, I will consider this when preparing a meal for them - even if I enjoy eating meat. It is not an opportunity for me to win them over to my view by preparing select cuts. If I know someone has sworn off alcohol, it shows kindness to avoid drinking around them. Our differences need not be a constant topic of conversation since the love of Christ binds us together as brethren forever. There is naturally in all of us a desire to be heard, to show ourselves right and others wrong, to stubbornly hold our ground, and frankly to a large degree this springs from pride. Love is quick to listen, slow to speak, and is not easily angered. Instead of being a grief to others, let us follow the exhortation of Paul to love one another and walk on a higher plane of grace as Romans 14:17-18 explains: "...for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men." If we desire to be approved by men, how much more should we desire to be acceptable to God by walking in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit!
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