October 3, 2003

Featured This Week: WHEN BELIEVERS DISAGREE ............ by Paul Kusiak WALK THE TALK ................................. by Joanne Clark FORGET FIRSTAID .............................. by Lane Palmer

"It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." -- John 6:63

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WHEN BELIEVERS DISAGREE © Paul Kusiak www.biblestudyplanet.com Christians disagree with one another on many issues. If there is a difference in opinion on issues essential to Christianity like: who Jesus is, we need to part ways There are many issues that are nonessential Like: was Jonah swallowed by a whale or a great fish, there we are free to debate. So how should Christians debate on nonessential issues? Chuck Smith offers this answer: "It is not easy to maintain the unity of the Spirit among us on many matters. It seems that the sovereignty of God and human responsibility are like two parallel lines that do not seem to intersect within our finite minds. God's ways are "past finding out" (Romans 11:33), and the Bible warns us to "lean not unto thy own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5) To say what God says in the Bible - no more and no less - is not always easy, comfortable, or completely understandable. Scripture tells us that the wisdom from above will be loving and kind toward all, seeking the unity of the believers, not trying to find ways to divide and separate from one another. May God help us all to love each other, to be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as Jesus Christ has forgiven us. (Ephesians 4:32) In difficult doctrinal matters, may we have gracious attitudes and humble hearts, desiring most of all to please Him who has called us to serve Him in the body of Christ. Yes, we can discuss, yes, we can disagree, but there can be no division. Jesus said, "By their fruit ye shall know them." When a particular position on the Scriptures causes one to become argumentative, legalistic, and divisive, I question the validity of that position. I seek to embrace those things that tend to make me more loving and kind, more forgiving and merciful. I know then, that I am becoming more like my Lord. If you have come to a strong personal conviction on one side of a doctrinal issue, please grant us the privilege of first seeing how it has helped you to become more Christlike in your nature, and then we will judge whether we need to come to that same persuasion. Let us always be certain to look at the fruit of the teaching. Seek those things that produce the loving nature of Jesus in our lives. I would rather have the wrong facts and a right attitude, than right facts and a wrong attitude because God can change my understanding of the facts in a moment, but it often takes a lifetime to effect changes of attitude." What good advice! None of us is perfect. None of us is perfect in doctrinal positions, but we have common ground in Christ and should treat each other with love and respect. Christianity is about Christ. Our doctrines should draw us closer to Him. The positions we hold, if they are correct, should make us more Christlike. If they are, that will be the greatest proof that our

WALK THE TALK © 2003 Joanne Clark

"The Kingdom of God is just not talking; it is living by God's power." --I Corinthians 4:20 TLB To live or act in accordance with God's standard of excellence requires "doing." It is to carry out or fulfill the specific purpose that God has for each of our lives. It is to "yield" in favor of a higher or more important duty and become fully devoted. This devotion comes with a cost—the forfeiture of something we highly value for the sake of one having greater value. Such sacrifice separates the "walkers" from the "talkers." Like the Pharisees of long ago, talkers like to receive recognition for their knowledge and spirituality. They somehow have solutions to all of life's problems and are quick to offer up answers and advice. They are often the first ones to criticize some "injustice" while others around them are rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty to fix it. They are outspoken, opinionated, and often unwilling to follow their own counsel. We’ve all seen people like this. Some of us have even behaved in this manner. Yes, we have! It is always easier to solve another's problems, but when it hits "home," it is another story. Giving "lip service" is one thing, but "walking it out," is something entirely different. Why is it that the people who seem to be dispensing the most advice and instruction are usually the ones who use none of it for themselves? Is it those who try to pick the splinter out of their brother’s eye while having a telephone pole in their own? Have you ever known the person who has wagged his finger and pointed out every mistake or sin of another? This goes on and on until suddenly, that person is committing the very same indiscretions of those they have accused. It is like everything they talked about and criticized has suddenly come upon them. We must be quick to adjust our own attitudes and behaviors in this area before we fall prey to them. Yes, it is scriptural to give "wise counsel" to those in need, but it does not indicate we are free to do so if our own lives are not shining examples of what we are preaching. I’m certainly not going to tell my sister to clean up her messy house while my sink is piled high with dirty dishes and I haven’t made time to cut the grass in two months. What about those family members who haven’t spoken in years? Aren’t they usually the ones who advise others to "forgive and forget?" If we aren’t walking it, we shouldn’t be talking it. It is that simple. We must become what everyone sees in church on Sunday morning (not that creature we suddenly change into, when come home to find the mess our husband made.) Who are we when no one is watching? How do we act when there’s someone we want to impress? Can we treat one with favor because of how they look or what they do? Shouldn’t we treat all with the same mercy and grace that God has given us? The choice should be easy.

FORGET FIRST-AID © Lane Palmer www.dare2share.org After an accident, a woman stepped forward and began to help the victim. She was pushed aside by a man who announced, "I've had a course in first aid and I'm trained in CPR." The woman watched his procedures for a few moments, then tapped him on the shoulder. "When you get to the part about calling a doctor," she said, "I'm already here." Have you had any accidents lately? I’m not talking about automobile wrecks, what I mean are those periods in life where you feel like you just got run over. It could be relationship trouble, financial difficulties, poor health, or any other number of misfortunes that blindside us and leave a mess of things.

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