A Journey of Faith
"So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts." 1 Peter 1:19
About twenty-five years ago, I was given a drawing of myself by a Bible study member led by me with the caption, Are You Sure? We are all so quick to be sure about many things, but what makes us so sure about the spiritual things that matter?
How often have you started to talk about the Bible with a fellow believer, only to have your conversation become an argument? Why do you think that is? Let me suggest a reason.
When Paul wrote his first letter to the church at Corinth, he pointed out their divisions, which he revealed as a result of sin in every chapter. He began his letter by saying, "For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you" (1:11). Do people like to quarrel? I would say no! Like most, I have been in many and never felt good about it. So then, why do it? People stand behind their beliefs; the truth becomes especially important among true believers.
The problem is we have differing views. Conviction is not the problem but differences of opinion. The first solution to our dilemma is maturity. "When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now, we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:11, 12
Some will say, how can maturity help? None of us will see to perfection in this life. If perfection is the only way to agree, why did the Apostle tell us in Philippians 2:2, "...make my joy complete by being of the same mind..." If we can't agree, trying to is an exercise in futility. Some will say we can agree on the essentials and show grace the rest of the time. I don't think that would please Paul or God. Reason? He continued, "maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose." He is not talking only about the essentials when he says one purpose.
We do not worship God when we disagree. Our purpose is singular, and it is always to glorify God, which is why he said in (10:31), "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." If eating so as not to be a stumbling block is part of whatever you do, how much more what we believe resulting in unity?
Paul instructs us in unity, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit" (2:3). These childish behaviors cause quarrels. What is the remedy? Maturity! The second solution is to humble ourselves. As mature men and women, we must recognize that God is the source of all truth, not ourselves. No one is allowed an interpretation of scripture but One; that would be God. The author gets the only credit. We must study well until we understand what He means by what He has inspired. Until two people understand God, one will always be wrong. Immature children accept that all have a right to their opinion because they do not understand the narrowness of the truth and their need to be humble.
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