John 17:22-23(ESV)
The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
We believers, the body of Christ, are depicted not only as God’s temple built on the foundation of Christ (1 Corinthians 3), but also as Christ’s worthy bride, the woman of Proverbs 31.
Considering that we have yet to be glorified, and are still in the process of being sanctified, are we currently “Someone’s Work of Art” as the group Sixteen Cities sings about, or, does the difficulties of our walk leave something more to be desired as expressed in the following ditty:
"Oh, to live above, with angels, the saints, and God in love...oh the glory!! Yet, to live here below, with the saints I know, well... that is a different story...."
What exactly was Jesus envisioning when he sincerely prayed that all His disciples would be one? Was He envisioning one visible, global, church organization that maintains a perfectly correct and complete theological understanding of the Bible, that stands out in stark contrast to all of the other different and
competing views offered by other competing church organizations that are, as logic dictates, to some varying degree incorrect?
Would this mean that all these church organizations that hold to a less than perfect theological understanding of God, reflected by docrtinal statements and practices that are to some degree erroneous, be nothing more than worldly counterfeits that ultimately deceive their congregations into walking through the wide gate to the easy road that leads to death? Is denominationalism nothing more than Satan's shell game which He forces us to play in order to keep us from the narrow gate that leads to the hard road that leads to life?
Is salvation from sin available only to those who are intelligent and astute enough to discern spiritual truth from error? Or perhaps, is it found more in one's clear conscience, so even if they proved to be theological dunces who due to erroneous doctrine, would still be OK with God, because He is loving and wise enough to see and understand their personal sincerity in their faith?
During the early days, in my walk with the Lord, I used to judge others for not believing in God the exact same way I did, and I limited my trust and Chrisian fellowship to only those people that did. When I saw a multi-denominational group of Christian believers gather, I immediately judged it to be a pseudo-Christian event that ultimately would not bring glory to God.
As humorously depicted in this scene from Talledega Nights, I had realized that worship of a god of our imagination isn’t worship of God at all. Harboring a “Jesus of our imagination” is harboring low & unbiblical views of who Jesus is and equates to putting faith in a god who isn’t God. Then when problems or tragedy strike - God is questioned, blamed, and unbelieved for failing to act as god was expected to act. It is important to truly know what Jesus you worship! Do you worship god or God?
Now when considering my own spiritual walk and growth in understanding God's Word, I realize that my theology has evolved over time. My doctrinal positions have changed as I have come to better understand God's truth, yet I was saved all the while, because my salvation is contingent upon repentance and belief in God, not on a certain level of knowledge. (Mark 1:14-15; James 2:19)
In fact, I realized that one can remain completely in the Word, yet be completely lost without ever realizing it, as were the Pharisees in John5:39-40. Even more dramatic than this example is the consideration of Adam and Eve's betrayal of God, who personally walked with them, in the cool of the garden.
I maintain that there are some redeemed believers who sincerely are seeking God, but due to living in a fallen world, seeing dimly in a mirror, attempting to put off our old selves and put on Christ, as we resist a very real enemy who is a strongman and a god of this age, there will be sincere differences in doctrinal thought that will eventually merge to a perfect unity upon each of us being glorified upon judgement and the reception of our resurrection bodies. Whereas there are others who due to the love of sin and the pursuit of satisfying the desires of their own passions and their own itching ears are deluded into thinking that they really are Christians but one day will be surprised when they face the righteous judgement of God. These are the people are described in Matthew 7:21-23.
Matthew Mead said it best when he penned the following quote: "As many go to heaven with the fear of hell in their hearts—so many go to hell with the name of Christ in their mouths." For more by Matthew Mead, please read: "The Almost Christian Discovered."
As humorously depicted in this scene from Talledega Nights, I had realized that worship of a god of our imagination isn’t worship of God at all. Harboring a “Jesus of our imagination” is harboring low & unbiblical views of who Jesus is and equates to putting faith in a god who isn’t God. Then when problems or tragedy strike - God is questioned, blamed, and unbelieved for failing to act as god was expected to act. It is important to truly know what Jesus you worship! Do you worship god or God?
Now when considering my own spiritual walk and growth in understanding God's Word, I realize that my theology has evolved over time. My doctrinal positions have changed as I have come to better understand God's truth, yet I was saved all the while, because my salvation is contingent upon repentance and belief in God, not on a certain level of knowledge. (Mark 1:14-15; James 2:19)
In fact, I realized that one can remain completely in the Word, yet be completely lost without ever realizing it, as were the Pharisees in John5:39-40. Even more dramatic than this example is the consideration of Adam and Eve's betrayal of God, who personally walked with them, in the cool of the garden.
I maintain that there are some redeemed believers who sincerely are seeking God, but due to living in a fallen world, seeing dimly in a mirror, attempting to put off our old selves and put on Christ, as we resist a very real enemy who is a strongman and a god of this age, there will be sincere differences in doctrinal thought that will eventually merge to a perfect unity upon each of us being glorified upon judgement and the reception of our resurrection bodies. Whereas there are others who due to the love of sin and the pursuit of satisfying the desires of their own passions and their own itching ears are deluded into thinking that they really are Christians but one day will be surprised when they face the righteous judgement of God. These are the people are described in Matthew 7:21-23.
Matthew Mead said it best when he penned the following quote: "As many go to heaven with the fear of hell in their hearts—so many go to hell with the name of Christ in their mouths." For more by Matthew Mead, please read: "The Almost Christian Discovered."
So then, how can one really discern their own standing, let alone that of anyone else, considering, that we know that our own heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9)? This is reminiscent of the song Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd. This then simply becomes one reason why we true Christian believers truly need to trust in the Lord, (Proverbs 3:5-6) and avail the means of grace that Our Father God has lovingly provided for us in His Word (Psalms 119:24) and in the church.
Only by trusting in the Holy Spirit, who teaches us all things (John 14:26) and maintaining a Berean attitude to any new teaching, as we live out Jude vs. 20-23 & 1John 4:1 we can ensure to avoid accidentally drifting away (Hebrews 2:1) or being tossed back and forth by every wind and wave of crafty & deceitful teaching (Ephesians 4:14). Only in the bonds of the very real friendships that are developed among one's spiritual family of adopted brothers and sisters of Christ can one get a clearer and more accurate external view of one's self.
So, when speaking with other fellow believers be sure to first take the plank out of your own eye (Matthew 7:5) and assess the fruits that which they manifest, as this is the only evidence that gives us an indication to the status of their spiritual state (Luke 6:43-45). This practice is evidenced even by Jesus Himself in Matthew11:2-6.
When theological differences in doctrine is revealed, then take a moment to assess the nature and implications of the difference. Is it a difference in the core doctrines of salvation or is it regarding a secondary type of issue like the continued use of spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues and laying on of hands, etc.? If we can find common ground in the core truths of the gospel, then we can trust that the Holy Spirit will lead us in all truth, as He teaches us all things, because God as the author of our faith will successfully finish what He started (Hebrews 12:1-2).
In conclusion, I would like to submit three quotes spoken by wiser and more spiritual men than Iw, who have already preceded us in joining the great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1), and now stand to encourage us, in our own race, that we're currently running.
Please remember that we are each on our own individual spiritual journeys through this life and each of us is at our own unique spot along the way. Therefore let’s be cautious and considerate of this fact prior to passing judgement on another person’s spiritual condition.
Octavius Winslow penned the below words in 1856:
“Two brethren in the Lord of widely different sections of the Church, and of much dissonance of sentiment on some points of truth, meet and converse together. Each wonders that, with the Word of God in his hand, the other should not read it as he reads it, and interpret it as he interprets it. But they drop the points of difference, and take up the points of agreement. They speak of Christ—the Christ who loves them both, and whom they both love. They talk of the one Master whom they serve; of their common labors and infirmities, trials and temptations, discouragements, failures, and success; they talk of the heaven where they are journeying; of their Father’s house, in which they will dwell together for ever; they kneel in prayer; they cast themselves before the cross; the oil of gladness anoints them; their hearts are broken, their spirits are humbled, their souls are blended; they rise, and feel more deeply and more strongly than ever, that they both belong to the same family, are both of the “many brethren,” of whom the Son of God is the “Firstborn,” the Elder Brother. Oh, blessed unity! What perfect harmony of creed, what strict conformity of ritual, what sameness of denominational relation, is for a moment to be compared with this? Have you, my reader, this evidence that you belong to the “many brethren”?”
For more: Daily Walking with God by Octavius Winslow
Finally, the words of J.C. Ryle (1816-1900) ring in my ears:
"The blindness of the ministers is no excuse for the darkness of the people! The man who from indolence or superstition, or affected humility - refuses to test the teaching of the minister whom he finds set over him, however 'sound or unsound it may appear', will at length share in his minster's portion! If people will trust blind guides then they must not be surprised if they are led to the pit!"
So, no matter what you doctrinally understand at this moment, speak the truth, as you know and understand it. In love, test every teaching like a Berean, and prayerfully trust in the Holy Spirit to lead you in understanding God’s truth from His Word. (Ephesians 4:15, Acts 17:11, John 14:26)
We need to always take care to not take common sayings and other pleasant platitudes as pure truth – because in many, if not all, cases they aren’t 100% true they are just dough in which the “leaven of the Pharisees” can get kneaded in and worked through encouraging hypocricy. (Luke 12:1, 1 Corinthians 5:8)
So, when speaking with other fellow believers be sure to first take the plank out of your own eye (Matthew 7:5) and assess the fruits that which they manifest, as this is the only evidence that gives us an indication to the status of their spiritual state (Luke 6:43-45). This practice is evidenced even by Jesus Himself in Matthew11:2-6.
When theological differences in doctrine is revealed, then take a moment to assess the nature and implications of the difference. Is it a difference in the core doctrines of salvation or is it regarding a secondary type of issue like the continued use of spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues and laying on of hands, etc.? If we can find common ground in the core truths of the gospel, then we can trust that the Holy Spirit will lead us in all truth, as He teaches us all things, because God as the author of our faith will successfully finish what He started (Hebrews 12:1-2).
In conclusion, I would like to submit three quotes spoken by wiser and more spiritual men than Iw, who have already preceded us in joining the great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1), and now stand to encourage us, in our own race, that we're currently running.
From Charles Spurgeon:
"The great controversy which for many ages has divided the Christian Church has hinged on the difficult question of “the will.” Without a doubt that conflict has done much harm to the Christian Church, but I will also say, that it has been loaded with immeasurable usefulness; for it has thrust forward before the minds of Christians, precious truths, which without it, might have been kept in the shade. I believe that the two great doctrines of human responsibility and divine sovereignty have both been brought out more prominently in the Christian Church by the fact that there is a class of strong-minded, hard-headed men who magnify sovereignty at the expense of responsibility; and another earnest and useful class who uphold and maintain human responsibility oftentimes at the expense of divine sovereignty. I believe there is a need for this in the finite character of the human mind, for the natural lethargy of the Church requires a kind of healthy irritation to arouse her powers and to stimulate her actions. The pebbles in the living stream of truth are worn smooth and round by friction. Who among us would wish to suspend a law of nature whose effects on the whole are good?"
For more: Read along as you listen:
http://www.biblebb.com/files/spurgeon/0442.htm
https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=31017177128
http://www.biblebb.com/files/spurgeon/0442.htm
https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=31017177128
Please remember that we are each on our own individual spiritual journeys through this life and each of us is at our own unique spot along the way. Therefore let’s be cautious and considerate of this fact prior to passing judgement on another person’s spiritual condition.
Octavius Winslow penned the below words in 1856:
“Two brethren in the Lord of widely different sections of the Church, and of much dissonance of sentiment on some points of truth, meet and converse together. Each wonders that, with the Word of God in his hand, the other should not read it as he reads it, and interpret it as he interprets it. But they drop the points of difference, and take up the points of agreement. They speak of Christ—the Christ who loves them both, and whom they both love. They talk of the one Master whom they serve; of their common labors and infirmities, trials and temptations, discouragements, failures, and success; they talk of the heaven where they are journeying; of their Father’s house, in which they will dwell together for ever; they kneel in prayer; they cast themselves before the cross; the oil of gladness anoints them; their hearts are broken, their spirits are humbled, their souls are blended; they rise, and feel more deeply and more strongly than ever, that they both belong to the same family, are both of the “many brethren,” of whom the Son of God is the “Firstborn,” the Elder Brother. Oh, blessed unity! What perfect harmony of creed, what strict conformity of ritual, what sameness of denominational relation, is for a moment to be compared with this? Have you, my reader, this evidence that you belong to the “many brethren”?”
For more: Daily Walking with God by Octavius Winslow
Finally, the words of J.C. Ryle (1816-1900) ring in my ears:
"The blindness of the ministers is no excuse for the darkness of the people! The man who from indolence or superstition, or affected humility - refuses to test the teaching of the minister whom he finds set over him, however 'sound or unsound it may appear', will at length share in his minster's portion! If people will trust blind guides then they must not be surprised if they are led to the pit!"
So, no matter what you doctrinally understand at this moment, speak the truth, as you know and understand it. In love, test every teaching like a Berean, and prayerfully trust in the Holy Spirit to lead you in understanding God’s truth from His Word. (Ephesians 4:15, Acts 17:11, John 14:26)
We all have to remember that simply applying human logic to God’s Word will only ever get us so far...and never sufficiently far enough, because it does take God’s Holy Spirit to teach us all things and illuminate these truths for us. Even after being given a new heart and spirit along with eyes that see and ears that hear, we will always need to come to God’s Word humbly as a beggar to a King and not with the same presumptive expectation that we approach the refrigerator in our own homes in search of some left over meal or midnight snack.
We need to always remember to proactively walk with the Lord, asking for wisdom, so that we can learn to speak more articulately in order to (like a skilled surgeon using a scalpel) appropriately wield God’s Word which has the ability to divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) so that we can appropriately handle and divide God's Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15) and present ourselves as a worker approved before the Lord.
