Wednesday, September 19, 2018

In Agreement

Attempts at forcing others to be like them through intimidation, mocking and manipulation does nothing except perhaps cause the coerced one to hide their real selves,

The best way to interact with others is to tell the truth and leave their responses to them and God. If they do not listen then we are free to walk away.

We cannot change anyone's heart, we can only influence with words, if the words are not received then we must go away and leave them to think and pray about it.

All too often people who think of themselves as superior to other will choose mean spirited actions and words to guilt someone into submission to them. This has more to do with control over us than it does with truth.

When we find theological differences that are important and cannot be resolved then we must move on to those who who are in agreement.

We love all believers in Christ but we cannot have fellowship with them all. Two cannot walk together who are not agreed.

Unity is not based on choosing to compromise, it is based on deeply investigating the word together to discern truth. When someone will not discuss a matter in the word then there is nothing more we can do to resolve the disagreement.

Ephesians 4:2-4 "…2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;…"

When we have to leave or let someone go we still love them and pray for them. May the Lord guide us as we are led by Christ in these decisions. May the Lord help believers to seek truth together. May all arrogance be removed from stubborn hearts as we all grow in holiness.

1 Peter 2:1-10 "1 Peter 2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
As Newborn Babes
1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,
2 like newborn babies, long for the [e]pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

As Living Stones
4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,
5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 For this is contained in Scripture:

“Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone,
And he who believes in [l]Him will not be [m]disappointed.”

7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve,

“The stone which the builders rejected,
This became the very corner stone,”

8 and,

“A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”;

for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."