We
don't have to be enemies just because we are disagreed. What make you think
that the things you are hung up on are the most important issues of the
precious faith once delivered to the saints?
What
saith the Scriptures?
"Be
thus minded... if in anything ye be otherwise minded."
Let's
take to heart these wise and apt words of exhortation:
"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 comment 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 who are a little behind
us and there will be those who are 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 of them, 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 - as if there is such a church! May God have mercy
on such a soul.
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
the mindset that presses 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. That's
the assurance to all who are still teachable!
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 distinction between immediate
regeneration and instrumental conversion, eternal and incarnational sonship of
Christ, the significance of 70AD, etc.
I
am still a student of God's word; I do study and expect to learn truths that
may have been overlooked and neglected, or ignored or rejected by many who name
the name of Christ. Anyone has the liberty to disagree with me, but 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 to the wonderful 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 that I had
been sincerely fed with 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 pastors/teachers from the Scriptures and
don't just react childishly. 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 your own pastors/teachers! 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."
