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either were already perfect: but I follow after,
if that I may apprehend that for which
also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I
count not myself to have apprehended:
but this one thing I do,
forgetting those
things which are behind,
and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect,
be thus minded:
#be_otherwise_minded
#be_thus_minded
Let's take to
heart these wise and apt words of Apostle Paul:
"Let us
therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be
otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you." Philippians 3:15 KJT
Let me elaborate
on the Scriptures above; let those wise and apt words find a lodging place in
our hearts.
These are wise
words to guide us as we progress and develop in our spiritual life. At any
point in our spiritual journey, there will be those a little behind us and
there will be those ahead of us; we will never see eye to eye in everything. There
will always be things that we are "otherwise minded" - with those
behind us as well as with those ahead of us. We trust that all three parties
are progressing, though at various paces; those behind may even overtake those
in front, etc.; growing in the grace (practices) and the knowledge (doctrine)
of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Pet 3:18.
Imagine each time
when a church member is "otherwise minded" when he heard something
new to him and is disagreeable and just decided to resign from the church for
his tender conscience's sake. It looks like he has learned everything there is
for him to learn from the Scriptures. What will happen? It would be a life of
constantly changing churches in pursuit of THE church where he can agree with
everything. Good luck and may God bless such a soul richly.
But the Apostle
Paul exhorts and appeals to as many as who think themselves perfect, i.e.
mature, "Let us, therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded..."
"Be thus minded" points back to what has been said in the previous
verses, i.e. don't have the mentality that one has arrived, but press on to
learn and understand the issues that we are "otherwise minded."
Search the Scriptures concerning the things we are "otherwise
minded", God shall reveal even this unto you.
Immature
(opposite of the "perfect") people choose their own way - resign from
the church in haste because of their conviction and conscience. Apostle Paul's
wise words exhort us: be patient, give space for our wise God and Father to do
His work... search the Scriptures, and ask for light and understanding...
"God shall reveal even this unto you."
Imagine the SDC
members had made haste to resign from the church when they first heard NEW
THINGS (actually old ancient truths that were lost, neglected, or repudiated)
from the pulpit, things condemned as heretical by both the Calvinists and the
Arminians.. e.g. justification by Christ's faithfulness, immediate/direct
regeneration, 5 distinct facets of salvation, the distinction between eternal
and temporal salvation, the significance of 70AD, etc.
I'm a student of
God's word; I do study and expect to learn truths that have been overlooked,
ignored, neglected, and rejected by many who name the name of Christ. Anyone
has the liberty to disagree with me; just reason with me with the Scriptures
wide open before us; I would be most thankful for such kindness. I'm still
capable of learning what is there in the Scriptures. I cling on to the promise,
"God shall reveal even this unto you."
2Ti 2:15
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
My blog
"Things New and Old" is taken from this text: "Then said he unto
them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is
like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his
treasure things new and old." Mat 13:52.
I'm determined to
be a faithful scribe/householder in Christ's church - bringing forth both
things new and old from the Scriptures.
I gladly admit and
own that I am not infallible, and I'm not exempted from doctrinal errors; the
Lord has helped me to right not a few errors along the way that I had imbibed
in earlier days; I put this disclaimer first before saying the following.
I do think church
members can do with a wee bit of humility to consider seriously the teachings
shown to them by their pastor/teacher from the Scriptures, and don't just
react. If he had been bringing forth just the same OLD things, where would all
of them be today? Stunted spiritual babes stuck with the elementary? But oh,
now you have grown up somewhat, and have become bold! It’s time to teach the
pastor/teacher. Thank you, open the Scriptures and I will learn from you. I
will be really grateful.
May the Lord
bless each one richly. A hearty amen, and again I say, Amen, heartily.
2Timothy 2:7
"Consider
what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things."
