Things New and Old

Ancient truths revealed in the Scriptures are often forgotten, disbelieved or distorted, and therefore lost in the passage of time. Such ancient truths when rediscovered and relearned are 'new' additions to the treasury of ancient truths.

Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.

Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.

There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things"
2Ti 2:7.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

"Be thus minded... if in anything ye be otherwise minded."


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."