Do we do this? If it’s one of our ‘pet’ beliefs, and not necessarily a widely held one, will we push its adoption to the max? Why? If it is critical, wouldn’t it be a ‘major’ rather than a minor? Do remember we aren’t infallible and, as such, can be wrong. Our interpretation (assumption?) can be a ‘mis’. And saying that ‘God told you so’ is not proof if He hasn’t also told others (2 Peter 1: 20-21). Remember too that if you are right, you have scripture that confirms your point and other scripture that supports it as well. You don’t need to ‘defend’ your point.
“So come on, let’s leave the preschool finger painting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on “salvation by self-help” and turning in trust toward God; baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment. God helping us, we’ll stay true to all that. But there’s so much more. Let’s get on with it!” (Hebrews 6:1-3, MSG)
[Sometimes the Message translations put the thought more forcefully. ‘Let’s get on with it!’ is a perfect example.] What’s this verse telling us and how does it relate to this topic? There are a couple of points… 1. The verse is telling us to ‘get on’. We’ve all had the basic teachings and they are our foundation. We all hold the same ones. Do we realize this? Do we trust the learning in ourselves as well as in others? It also identifies the foundational instructions that we all can hold in one accord.
We should always looks to our ‘sameness’ of beliefs to underscore how we relate to one another. THEN we look at those areas that we may not share. Always ‘judge’ them against the foundational components. If you feel that what you’ve learned is also important… then present it in that way.. Share. Not make it a bone of contention, separation. If it is crucial then the truth will present itself in such a way as to be understood.
In the final analysis… too often disagreements among brothers and sisters really are minor issues – one person’s understanding, experiences versus another’s. We shouldn’t let this separate us. Remember, together we are the church and have an incredibly important assignment to complete – touching the world with the truth (majors) of Jesus.
{Also, nothing pleases our arch enemy more than when brothers and sisters in the Lord grumble and fight and don’t display the one behavior, attitude that we are commanded to do… Love.]
