Issue 1177 – In Love? – June 15, 2023
I recently visited a website that firmly favours one specific translation of the Bible. There is nothing unusual or wrong in that. All translations have their fans and critics, and none is perfect. Every translation has its own particular strengths and weaknesses. What surprised me was this site’s hateful rhetoric to anyone holding a differing view.
Some of the arguments may have had some intellectual validity. Still, the anger spewing from the writer’s words stopped me from staying on the site.
If, as a believer, I found the site too angry to stay at, what would a non-believer think? What perception would they have of Christians?
There are many differences within the Christian church. Diversity is our greatest strength (short of God Himself) and our greatest weakness. There are many divisive issues to contend with.
Some issues are probably irreconcilable outside of God, while others are relatively minor. Whatever the problems, they need to be handled in love.
Far too often, we build up a head of steam over a secondary or tertiary issue of practice or doctrine, appoint ourselves the protector of orthodoxy and set to war against other believers. Not all differences are heresy. Not all differences are a result of deviating from the Bible. Not all differences are worth warring over.
We must defend essential issues, but that list is relatively small. There are important issues that we must hold in tension. Yet, most issues are, in fact, relatively minor and fall well within the realm of historic Christian orthodoxy.
For example, the exclusivity or the deity of Christ are essential issues. Those issues are worth division.
The musical style or the colour of the carpet are non-essentials (but have split many churches). The issues of the presence or absence of certain spiritual gifts today or women’s leadership roles fall between; they are important but not essential. We can hold strong opinions on these issues, but they are not worthy of internal war.
There are going to be differences in doctrine, worship styles and practices. There will be error, not in God, but in our fallible human expression of love for and obedience to Him. That doesn’t mean we abandon the work of bringing people to Christ or to loving other believers.
We must decide for ourselves what doctrines or practices we can work with, but even then, the differences must be handled with love. The world sees enough hatred; it doesn’t need to see more of it beaming out of the church.
Our lack of grace to one another on non-essential issues has destroyed many congregations and impaired the spreading of the gospel.
Our true unity comes in the Spirit. The old adage “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty and in all things love (or charity) still applies today.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
Too often, we war within the church, using every tool at our disposal over non-essential issues. We put our heresy hunter hats on and bury the love.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Until next time, may the Spirit convict us all of the people we have chosen not to love and bring us to our knees in repentance.
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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