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Handling Different Views
on Bible Truth
"The great aim of
education is not knowledge,
but action."
Herbert Spencer
From this quotation we find that one
man recognized a very important point...
All learning should lead toward more than just knowledge, or knowing about
something; it should inspire us to action; and hopefully change our lives...
forever
In this article we are going to note
some things needed in order to understand
and handle successfully the truth...Scriptural truth... and especially that
which
relates to these days.
The necessary foundation for comprehending
God's word must begin with a
person seeking this kind of education, being in possession of a daily, true
and
living relationship with God, through faith in Christ Jesus. Without a living
experience, and the help of the Holy Spirit, the comprehension of the depths
of
truth would probably be rather limited.
Apart from these essentials, there are 7 things needed in order to make progress.
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Have an open mind |
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Begin a study with prayer |
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Be in good health (as much as possible) |
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Study with a sincere interest to learn |
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Intelligently consider all evidence presented |
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Study without disputing and quarreling |
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Come with a desire to discern the truth |
This may seem like a very basic approach
-- If you are a seasoned student of the
already know these things? Aren't they obvious?
It is just because they are "obvious,"
that they are being mentioned. People often
overlook, or pass by, the obvious. In studies relating to important spiritual
matters, or eternal life, this is something we cannot afford to do. Each
point has
a special role to play in developing our understanding of truth, and each
must be
put into action, in a balanced way, in order to produce correct results.
If I were to ask if you have an open
mind, and pray; are in reasonably good health,
and are interested in learning; study intelligently, and don't fight and
quarrel over
personal thoughts and opinions people present when they discuss things;
as well as
have a sincere desire to understand the truth... I'm sure that most would
answer
"yes" to all of the above.
But, of course, God has ways of testing
sincerity in this area... Test? "Why test,"
you may ask? "There's no need for that... I am a believer, and I love
God, and
His truth... ." Nevertheless, to prove our profession, you can be sure He will
run a
check to see if things are the same as we say.
God has always used truth to test His
people. From Adam and Eve in the garden of
Eden, unto the present, and even until the close of time, the Lord has brought,
and
will bring, mankind face to face with His word to see what they will do
with it;
to reveal the spirit with which it is received, and to see how it will be
acted upon.
Will it be welcomed or rejected? The understanding we obtain and the decisions
we make in our studies may well determine the difference between eternal
life
or eternal loss.
In recent years, the attention of many
Christians, has been drawn, in one way or
another, to dangers associated with doctrinal errors and deceptions, especially
in
some sensitive areas relating to the plan of salvation and Bible prophecy.
Sometimes I think people know more about the false teachings than they know
about the truth.
Persons who come to churches, desiring
to present their thoughts relating to the
Scriptures have at times been rejected, even without being fully heard,
because
the visitors weren't members; and even some of the members have had similar
problems, and had their viewpoints critically questioned, because what they
presented was perhaps different than what had been previously understood
within their organizational framework.
If the Lord Himself wanted to give more
light to His people than they now have,
how would it be possible for Him to do so, with such a "closed door"
policy?
Many are gripped with fear if a doctrinal
point is mentioned or discussed, that
hasn't had an "official seal of approval" previously placed on
it. Many talk more
about "wolves" coming in among them, than "light" coming
in; and yet light is
just the thing that is needed.
People want everything they believe
to filter down to them from the top in their
organization, and if it doesn't come in just the way they're accustomed
to, they
tend to close their eyes, and ears, without even stopping long enough to
see if
perhaps it is Jesus seeking entrance to His church.
While I don't mean to block sincere
efforts to keep a barrier of separation
between truth and error, I do believe that the "top" people look
to
for all of their understanding along spiritual lines needs to be higher
than the
roof of their Conference buildings, or their minister's pulpit. If we fail
to see
beyond these things, we may find ourselves leaning on arms that cannot sustain
us in greater tests and trials that are just ahead.
And so... God sometimes allows tests
to see if we will allow Him to reveal
more than has been previously known.
Even much respected denominational pioneers,
with all the zeal and sacrifices
they made, at times in their history, failed the test. We living in the
last days
of this earth's history, must do better than those who went before us.
Jesus said to his disciples:
I have yet many things to say unto you,
but ye cannot bear them now.
John 16:12
We need to learn how to let the Lord
help us understand the Scriptures, so we
can know more fully, not only what to believe, but why we believe it.
Winston Churchill once said:
" Men stumble over the truth from time to time,
but most pick themselves up and hurry off
as if nothing happened. "
As Christians, we don't want to be found
controverting, questioning,
criticizing, ridiculing, and refusing to admit Scriptural evidence when
it is
presented. To do so is against the principles of God, truth, and knowledge...
as well as wisdom, and good common sense.
The following reference offers an excellent
guideline to remember:
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
When you decide to examine, or look
more closely at, an issue relating to the
Bible or Christian doctrines... perhaps something that you've never considered
before... it doesn't mean that you have automatically to adopt that point
as an
unchangeable truth. Perhaps there is before you a question that prior to
this
time you have not thought to answer. Before becoming overly alarmed, or
defensive, consider this insight from Tennessee Williams... He said:
"It's an unanswered
question,
but let us still believe in the dignity
and importance of the question."
There are still many doctrinal points
which divide members of the Christian
community... and so there certainly is Bible truth yet to be understood
more
clearly.
Truth can afford to be fair; it has
nothing to lose; and if we are of the truth,
we can afford to be fair to one another in the study of the truth also.
This is
the education that is needed which can lead to good actions; and true understanding.
May God open minds and hearts to receive
whatever light He chooses to
send... through whomever He chooses to send it, both now and forever.
This article was written
by Chris Teske
Some World Light Connections
The
Weight of the Evidence
How
to be Right with God
Good
News about Faith
for People in Need
Grace
in a Barren Place
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