11/19/2019
Do we spend our time praying, worshiping God, praising the name of Jesus, and doing the Lord’s will, or is our time and effort directed at arguing over the unfathomable mysteries of faith? The dark one is a shrewd character, and he will redirect our attention from the important matters of God while making us feel like we are pursuing something righteous. As Satan is doing this we are left spitting into the wind... wasting valuable time that could best be spent saving souls, and not driving them away.
“But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.”
Titus 3:9 ESV
When my sons were young I wanted to involve them in Boy Scouts. I wanted them to experience the same instruction regarding the outdoors that I once had, and to have the same amazingly good times while learning leadership, and making friends, that I did. So I looked at the scout troops around our area to pick one out that would not only teach, but provide an environment that would be safe, friendly, and wouldn’t turn off the interest of my boys. There were three close by, and while visiting them it became apparent that they were each very different. One of the troops was cold and didn’t seem to have much life about it, another spent its time arguing, and trying to determine who would do one thing or another, but the boys in the last troop were happy, took turns leading, and the adult leaders spent time teaching, and helping the boys plan their next camping trip... which one do you think I put my boys in? That’s right, the last one.
When people are determining whether they are going to accept Jesus as their savior, worship God, or just get turned off and walk away; they do much the same thing. When they visit a church they are attracted by the faith that thrives there, whether it is scripturally based, how the saints there interact with one another, how the membership welcomes them, and if they feel the Holy Spirit there. Our behavior as Christians builds, or destroys, the work that the God has planned for the gospel to do... save souls!
“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.”
1 Corinthians 9:19-22 ESV
We argue mysteries amongst each other as Christians, and then wonder why wayward souls do not want to come to Christ when we approach them. We give Satan an easy crack into which he can drive a wedge between the church and those who have just heard the gospel. We blame our failures on one another, and on our differences... meaningless arguments. We never resolve ourselves to become one in presenting the two traits of faith that should adorn the church as the bride of Christ... the unifying character of Jesus Christ, and the singularity of the Word of God. Charles Spurgeon calls us to task over this behavior when he writes these words:
“We can argue over points not addressed in Scripture, over mysteries that belong to God alone, over prophesies of doubtful interpretation, and over the ways we observe human ceremonies—but all of these arguments are foolish, and wise people avoid them.” - Charles Spurgeon
So let’s look at what is valuable in our faith, and if many of our disagreements are truly worth arguing over. Are they worth the loss of a single soul? The commandments and Word of God are unyielding, and bending them, or arguing over them for our own purposes is detrimental to the faith we seek in God. Let’s rest on God’s Word, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and let the petty, and trivial go.
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.”
Proverbs 11:30 ESV
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for your Holy Word, and the gospel of your Son Jesus; we stand firm on them Lord. We thank you for the mysteries that you present us Father, and how you reveal truths to us as we contemplate them in the Spirit, and grow in faith through their study. Teach us Father not to argue and divide ourselves over these things that are meant to bring our individual relationships with you closer. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who joins us by your Word, and grows our relationships through your puzzles of faith. We praise you Father, and look to your Son Jesus to bring us together in our desire to be if one abode with you, and him. Great are you, and weak are we when we argue... help us mighty Lord, to stand as one. Glorify yourself through your grace that draws us together through Jesus, and joins us as His Church, His bride. Strengthen us Merciful Father as we move across the world preaching and teaching the gospel that calls lost souls to you. Great are you, and in your presence we bow as one forevermore.
“And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”
Daniel 12:3 ESV
Rich Forbes