There is more truth than humor in the little quip, "Let's stand back to back, face to face, and go forward." Many times we think if our brethren and sisters are not headed in the same direction as ourselves, they're not one of us. The disciples had this problem:
"Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me."
Barnabas and Paul went different directions, but were on the same team; both had a deep abiding love for Christ, their lovely Lord. They were simply at odds on the best way to get the job done. The two cherubims on the Mercy Seat faced different directions, and though seemingly opposites, still they were looking at the same thing.
In John's writings he preeminently makes Christ and Christ alone the focal point of our fellowship with one another. Personally, I can go a long way with a man or woman who believes in the deity of Jesus Christ, and His substitutionary death, who love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, strength, and might. We'll work our differences out around the family table when we get home.
"IN ESSENTIALS, UNITY; IN NON-ESSENTIALS, LIBERTY; IN ALL THINGS, CHARITY."
(Augustine)
No comments:
Post a Comment