Is it not terrible thing to watch God’s children bicker amongst one another? I have witnessed it and still see it amongst believers. It is the canker worm which eats away, feeding on the unity of believers and before long he leaves his footprint, guile and bitterness replace what was once a peaceable fruit and if we do not addressed our own hearts and find grace to chisel him out, he will continue to contaminate all he comes into contact with and unfortunately the lambs (young believers) will be tarnished. Often we hold so strongly to our persuasion, which I believe God would commend. However, even if we are right about a biblical truth and are so driven to be proved right to the extent of sowing discord amongst believers, this will not be commended. I can tell on the authority of God’s word...
Proverbs 6:16-19
“There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”
If a thing be right, who are we to change it, or mould it into our tiny little world? We do not have that right; we may nevertheless twist something from God’s word to suit ourselves. That is not my point; we cannot and should not ever change God’s word to suit our lifestyle, we may all be guilty to some extent of doing this but that changes us and not Gods word. Having said that, it is only the truth from God’s word that will set us free to serve Him and walk in obedience. We never have the right to sow discord amongst brethren, for God hates this. What a serious indictment! Never should we as believers be swayed from sound doctrine, we must stand on God’s word, which is the sure foundation, with the Lord Jesus as our chief cornerstone. How must we do that? It seems somewhat contradicting you may say. On the one hand I must not sow discord amongst brethren and strive for unity; on the other hand I must never compromise God’s word. There are some truths in God’s word that we as believers must make our stand, it will be a hill worth dying on. An example that would depict my stand is that, “we are saved by grace through faith not of works lest any man should boast.” Christ alone has done the work, He alone has accomplished a means for our salvation. It is God who calls, it is God who saves and it is God who keeps us saved. Yet if someone does not agree with me on this truth, for it is true. How am I to respond, well once again it is the word which teaches us; there is a way in which all Christians must respond and it is with the spirit of gentleness and with patience.
(Ephesians 4:2-3) “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We can find grace to appropriate the truth from God’s word to one another. Paul gives us the teaching on love when we look upon her traits and gaze upon her beauty, how beautiful is she! “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong doing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
“Is not every Christian more than a conqueror through him that loved him? Living in peace, do not the saints fall asleep in the arms of victory?” (Spurgeon)
Victory in glorifying God must be our objective; the truth must be proclaimed and preached throughout this world. We must even be prepared to die on some hills, but amongst brothers may we tread with carefulness and in love.
Signing off
Tyrone
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