Revelation 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Two valued brothers in the Lord read the same passage and one says it means this. The other says I have studied this to the fullest and I disagree and it means this. It matters not the scripture or who is right or wrong. Now you may begin by telling me it does matter and disagree with me. That’s OK. I do not need you to agree with me. I need you to agree with God.
Why men see truth falls under three categories for me. I am talking about me here, this is my truth.
We accept things to be true at times because they make us feel good. We will seek comfort and settle for peace. That is fine as long as the issue under dispute isn’t foundational. Foundational truths affect individual salvation. God cares enough to make the simple gospel truth easy to understand and accept. It is when we start making attachments to salvation and making it conditional salvation where we go wrong. God corrects those errors.
We accept things to be true because we can see the reasoning behind it. Paul reasoned in the synagogues with the Jewish believers based on the Old Testament revelation of Jesus Christ. It is within the realm of salvation to be reasoned with to come to the truth. When it comes to non-essentials it is not only possible but even likely that reasoning will take two educate men in different directions. It does not matter who is right or wrong or even what the truth is over the issue. The important matter is are you going to allow your opinion stand in the way of loving your brother? Agreeing to disagree isn’t loving, but you are free to disagree with me.
My truth is that I can be wrong. I leave room for God to reveal what He wants me to believe, for whatever end He has purposed.
Relationship has to come first.
I think “non-essential” issues, as beth Moore likes to call these, rib issues and spine issues, still can usually be chiseled down to a foundational truth. I love my catholic cousin but something that he posted last night is so far from the truth it took everything I could do to not speak out “in love”. I can’t honestly say that I either value or respect his position because it is a flat out lie in the face of God. I just pray that he would know the truth. Everyone on his feed replied with amen and for a slight second it made me question…..but only for a second. I am so thankful that God has revealed His truth to me and I pray that I will never use it to become confrontational. Great devotional, Larry.
I think for the most part the gospel gives us comfort and peace, thereby making it “easier”, if you will to accept the things in it as truth. It’s when you get to a chapter like Romans 9 that the discomfort starts and we begin to squirm. Some truth is just the truth even when it is uncomfortable.