1 Kings 18:20-22 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

I have an opinion about okra and many do not agree with me. My opinion is harmless and no one cares about my opinion. The subject of your opinion matters. In this case it is about who is God. That matters to me and my opinion is based on what God has demonstrated to me in my life. I would prefer to call them facts, but others with different opinions choose to reject the idea of me calling my experiences with my God fact.

This brings into question about the formation of opinions. How are they formed and why? This takes us back to the subject of the opinion. No one cares about my opinion about okra and they shouldn’t. How about my car? What is my opinion about my car? If you are looking to spend a fair amount of your income on monthly payments for a car, isn’t that important? Sure it is and it is fair to shop around and ask question of others about why they chose their car.

Now we are getting into the area of the why. What are you looking for in a vehicle? Is it a personal vehicle? Do you need four seats, five seats or six? Once you decide what your needs are then you can start shopping around for what you need and perhaps what you want.

What do you need from God?

1 Timothy 5:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

To understand partisan in context to these verse we must examine “these things”.

Reading chapter five of 1^st Timothy I would hi-lite recognition of responsibility, civility, dedication and honor. It is spoken of as examples in relationships and submissions. Recognition of Godly efforts and good deeds should be honored. Those who struggle with sins that are known need to be helped in finding their way back to right standing within the body of Christ.

All outward appearances should be seen as people who look to help those in need and that a place can be made for new members to join.

Partisan behavior excludes everyone who is not in agreement with a set of ideals. If we live up to those ideals those observing our lives will want what we have. Mercy, grace and forgiveness will not be seen to be desirable if it doesn’t work within the body of Christ.

“Come join us!”

The invitation will be rejected if we show bickering, back biting, and disrespect among ourselves. We have come to this life to share the Good News so we must show it to be a good life.

Knowing the Word of God is irrelevant if it cannot be demonstrated in the life we live together.