“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as
holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for
a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and
respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered,
those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” (1
Peter 3:15-16 ESV)
No. I will not agree with you, fellow believer, simply to
avoid a debate. Debate is good among those who believe. Debate is what
institutions of higher learning should be all about. Doctrine is thereby
purged, tried, and strengthened as spiritually mature men and women
genuinely interested in rightly dividing the Word of truth study to show
themselves approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15). Exegesis is work and not
science. God is an infinite continuum of possibility. Who is foolish
and conceited enough to believe that only one point of view can
encompass the totality of God’s mind or explain His ways exhaustively
when His thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9)?
We need to repent of thinking more highly of ourselves than
we ought to think (Romans 12:3). The government of the United States and
church leadership alike would do well to remember that it is much more
mature and productive to intelligently argue a point respectfully
instead of drawing lines in the sand, refusing to acknowledge the
validity of opposing views, and labeling those who don’t fully agree
with us imbeciles, heretics, and fools. We seemed to be more forgiving
communicators, more forgiving and respectful of others, prior to
adolescence than we are now as adult disciples of Christ. How can this
be? There is much to be said for the productivity of early church
councils such as those which took place in Nicaea and Constantinople. Do
we really need another twenty-thousand Protestant denominations in
America today? How do people with opposing worldviews view such
disharmony, finger pointing, and angst among those of us who profess to
be disciples of Jesus Christ? Jesus prayed that we be one as Father and
Son are one within the godhead (John 17:21-23)? In what hour will
Christ’s church expend at least some effort toward caring enough to
participate in answering this prayer of unity? Is there more than one
Lord, one faith, and one baptism (Ephesians 4:5)? God forbid.
Lord, help me to build more bridges than I burn during this stage of my
earthly imperfection. Help me to seek Your face with sincerest humility
while respecting those who might never see as I see, hear as I hear, or
believe as I believe. Help me to cherish those who challenge and refine
my trust in You and the purity of Your holy Word. You have commanded me
to love my neighbor as myself and to regard the entire world, not only
those who agree with me, as my neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40). Help me to
bear the discomfort of rejection, sneering, and scoffing I am sure to
endure as I wait confidently upon You, Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ mighty
name. Amen.
© 2009 Brian L Hunter
www.anointedwritenow.com
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