Friday, November 16, 2007
Unity
John MacArthur in Truth For Today:
Philippinas 1:27
He, also, says:
I thought John MacArthur's words were very good and have so much wisdom in them! We must stand together as one...loving one another, praying for one another, and striving to have one heart to present the gospel and all of God's Word to others that shows we really mean it and are willing to live by it.
But, I don't think he means unity at any cost.
There are many aspects of God's word that are very clear...non negotiables that are laid out for us to obey and live by. What if 2 people disagree about these issues...biblical issues. This could be a problem in the local church and needs to be solved through communication and a thorough discussion of what God's Word teaches. I'm not talking about non biblical issues that do allow for Christian liberty. We should love others and respect that Christian liberty...we can still be completely unified on God's non negotiable Word, though...
We must be unified on the Truth of God's Word. The weakening of God's Word for the sake of unity should never be. A church taking the least common denominator and basing unity on that is not true unity...nor is it Biblical.
So, what do you think about this? Do you allow for others to be different than you in non biblical issues? Do you love others even though you may have differences. I think we can be guilty of being dis-unified over non biblical issues. That's sad, don't you think? But, thankfully God has given us His Word and we must be unified on His gospel and all that he commands....those are non negotiables.
What do you see as non-negotiables of scripture?
What do you see as areas of Christian liberty and should not cause disunity?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this in my comments, please feel free to share!
Spiritual stability depends on mutual love, harmony, and peace between believers. Our lives are to be intertwined that we might support and sustain one another...It is necessary for believers to care and pray for each other. Mutual love produces the harmony that's conducive to spiritual stability and reflects what the church is all about: supporting the weak, lifting the fallen, and restoring the broken.
Philippinas 1:27
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.
He, also, says:
Enemies of the church are eager to find ways to discredit the church. Apparently, disunity in the Philippian church was about to destroy the integrity of its testimony. So Paul said to them, "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ...stand fast in the Spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." We have one Spirit within us, so there's no reason for disunity.
I thought John MacArthur's words were very good and have so much wisdom in them! We must stand together as one...loving one another, praying for one another, and striving to have one heart to present the gospel and all of God's Word to others that shows we really mean it and are willing to live by it.
But, I don't think he means unity at any cost.
There are many aspects of God's word that are very clear...non negotiables that are laid out for us to obey and live by. What if 2 people disagree about these issues...biblical issues. This could be a problem in the local church and needs to be solved through communication and a thorough discussion of what God's Word teaches. I'm not talking about non biblical issues that do allow for Christian liberty. We should love others and respect that Christian liberty...we can still be completely unified on God's non negotiable Word, though...
We must be unified on the Truth of God's Word. The weakening of God's Word for the sake of unity should never be. A church taking the least common denominator and basing unity on that is not true unity...nor is it Biblical.
So, what do you think about this? Do you allow for others to be different than you in non biblical issues? Do you love others even though you may have differences. I think we can be guilty of being dis-unified over non biblical issues. That's sad, don't you think? But, thankfully God has given us His Word and we must be unified on His gospel and all that he commands....those are non negotiables.
What do you see as non-negotiables of scripture?
What do you see as areas of Christian liberty and should not cause disunity?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this in my comments, please feel free to share!
I am a stay at home mother to 4. I am very blessed to have a godly husband who loves the Lord and his family. I welcome the days of much needed grace,the times of sweet victories,and the tears of trials,knowing it is all for God's glory. I want my lifesong to sing to Him,the author and finisher of my faith. Soli Deo Gloria--To the Glory of God alone.
7 Comments:
Non-negotiable: Christ,as the only Way, forgiveness of sins through Christ, the Trinity. Can't think of more right now.....
Some great thoughts to ponder Kim!!
For me personally, everything in my life is: "non negotiable". By that I mean, I believe that everything that I do (and say) must be in accordance to the word of God.
Everything in my life boils down to where I'm at spiritually. I don't believe that I have my *spiritual life* and then my *personal life*. But rather, everything in my life must go through the God, and it starts with his word.
God's word is my compass, full of direction for me to discern right from wrong and I believe that God's desire is for me to be so in tune with his spirit, so that I'm following in his perfect will.
Although I understand that often there are difference in the body, and you are correct, we MUST always show much love, and compassion, and remain Christlike anytime we deal with people with different viewpoints.
Kim, this is a great post!
I have spent a lot of time researching John's view on predesitnation and the TULIP acronym he uses.
Having come from a seeker church, we were never taught this stuff. Now, we are in a good Bible teaching church but have only been there since May so obviously our pastor hasn't been able to teach everything I want to hear in that short of time.
I think non-negotiable is that Jesus is the only true way to God and eternal security. I think God sovereignty is non negotiable too.
I think John has an interesting view on Christ dying etc...(too much to put here) and if he is correct - I think that might be non-negotiable - but it is different that what I have learned.
He is very gifted and I tend to trust his teachings more than anyone else out there.
I think some liberty can be given in regard to some spiritual gifts, wheter to listen to CCM, bible translations, etc.. Only to the point though that it isn't outright non biblical and I think some use of the gifts are non biblical.
Hope this makes sense.
Loved you past post and plan to use this Thanksgiving!
Non-negotiables: Christ alone for the forgiveness of sin, One God, sharing the gospel, marriage between one man and one woman, and many more!
I think we often get caught up in the methods a church uses. The Scripture is the same, but the method used to share it may be different from one body to the next. Some stray from the Truth of God's Word, which is different, than being out of the box! As long as The whole of Scripture is the center of a church, I think we must allow liberty, in how a church seeks to share it with their community. Methods used in California to reach those far from God is probably much different than small town Tennessee! To me, that is Christian liberty.
Very thought-provoking post. Of course, there are Biblical standards that we must adhere to...Jesus being the only way is the first & most important one. And I have certain convictions, based upon my interpretation of the Bible (roles of women in the Church, alcohol consumption, etc.). I have close friends who are under different convictions. I respect their views, and I hope they respect mine...because, bottom line, certain things aren't spelled out in black & white in the Bible.
No two people will agree on every point of theology. However, as long as the Church keeps Jesus at the center, there shouldn't be any disunity. There are points that we, as humans, get hung up on...and I think Jesus must sit in Heaven, shaking His head & thinking we just don't get it.
Just my humble 2 cents' worth. Great discussion!
I can have a lot of respect for the negotiables if that person has studied scripture. When someone can't explain their opinion to me, I grow very impatient. Think, people!!! Or if you've never studied it or thought about it, then ask.
If someone shows me in scripture where they get their belief, even if I disagree, I can respect that they struggled through God's word first.
The problem is I think many people don't think about what the Bible says about things. That used to include me, by the way! :)
At times I get discouraged because I see believers working against each other instead of remembering we are all on the same team.
Non-negotiable. That would be Christ. The rest of it doesn't matter without him.
Have a great weekend.
Julie
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