Unity, Truth and Love
“Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy Word is truth”
(John 17:17)
We just came back from five days in
Arizona. The first three days were in Tucson and two were in the Phoenix
Valley. It was a time with loved ones, including those not seen in years. My
wife, Genevieve, met some of them for the first time.
At the Phoenix Airport, the metal
detector "beeped" several times and I went to a roped-off area, assuming a
"spread-eagle" position while being searched. I remained with outstretched
limbs, while the security officer went over me with a hand-held metal detector.
He said pleasant words, but treated me seriously. Finally, it was found - I had
neglected to take the metal business cardholder out of a pocket and it set off
the alarm.
The security officer was on the watch for
those who would do harm, making me think of the battle that is inside us, within
the church. It's faith vs. unbelief; love vs. hostility, and it rages
everywhere. We should expect to be examined by God's Holy Spirit, because
unbelief will set off the detectors that are designed to protect you and me on
this trip through life. Security in airports is not unlike the work of the Holy
Spirit in our lives – areas of unbelief will be exposed and removed from us at
all cost.
We wanted to get to the airplane, but
could not! There was no real pressure at the moment, for we were early enough,
but it was inconvenient, and nobody likes delays in our high-speed world. Keep
in mind when you are inconvenienced by problems such as jobs that don’t last,
hospitalization, and the loss of loved ones; that the Lord has a PURPOSE in what
He allows. Losses test our faith, to the end that your unbelief and mine will
no longer be a part of our journey. He will remove unbelief and give faith to
those who are willing to trust in Him.
Unbelief takes subtle forms and can be
seen this way: some make the assumption that if they have Him, they know
EVERYTHING about life. And if you don't agree with them in all things, you're
utterly WRONG! That's the assumption; but actually, a "Christian" is someone
who is learning how to LOVE. It’s not that we know everything; it’s that we
know Him, who is the truth (John 14:6).
The Body of Christ is given the truth,
presented in Christ, yet all information is not given to every person. One has
a gift of "knowledge" and another has "wisdom" from the Lord (1st
Corinthians 12). To "know" something, but not be wise in handling that wisdom,
is less than the Body of Christ needs. To be "wise," but not have knowledge is
likewise insufficient.
"Wise" and "knowledgeable" people need
each other, as do all others with the gifts of God. The Lord has deliberately
NOT given you everything, and His purpose is that you and I will discover our
NEED for one another. The one is blind, the other deaf and both can walk
together, hand-in-hand, through the "battlefields" of life. The one sees the
pitfalls and leads both around them, while the other hears the incoming shells
and warns the one who cannot hear, so each may "duck" away from danger.
If you think your doctrinal understanding
is perfect, that's fine, because you have CONFIDENCE in your beliefs. Much
comes from confidence, because such people have emotional strength. And God
will use that. But the true victory in Christ will not be found in our
confidence. Rather, it is when we place our faith in the Lord, trusting HIM for
the victory. It's not about you or your confidence; it's about Him and His
love.
Charles Spurgeon said, "Truth
comes before (human) unity," and it
does, but, as stated, Jesus Christ IS the truth (John 14:6), and this is
infinitely more than mere information, for we are to have HIM – He IS our
truth. Yes, He will give us information, but most important, we are given His
love.
The Bible is wonderful; a unique gift of
God to this world. It's all about the Lord, and how He relates to people like
you and me. It’s interesting to meet others with different doctrines, for it is
seen that we can each have HIM, but not agree on all the details.
"Ecumenicism" (church unity) without
faith in Jesus Christ, however, is emptiness, much like "empty calories" can
make a dieter obese. "Unity" without our Lord is the false hope of a thirsty
man who sees a mirage in the desert. We need to know Him and to love one
another in the power of God. Love includes LISTENING to Him and to one another.
We don’t need to
come together in one visible organization, as some have urged, but
instead we are to see that others may have validity in the Body of Christ. Be
less quick to "shoot" others who claim they are His. Keep your theological
"gun" in its "holster" for awhile, and prayerfully LISTEN to what others may
have to say.
"Faith comes by
hearing and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17) is a call to you
and me. Study the Word of God and you will grow in faith. His Word is indeed
the antidote to unbelief. It isn't just you reading by yourself. It's the Holy
Spirit of God, prompting you to read, enabling you to understand, and giving you
the gift of His love; love even for those who don't agree with you.
In the prayer of Jesus for you and me, He
asked the Father to “Sanctify them through Thy truth;
Thy Word is truth” (John 17:17). Jesus Christ is, of course, the truth,
and the written Word of God is about Him. We just completed several months in
the book of Leviticus, and the sacrifices, the laws, all point to our need of
Him. The Lamb we need is Jesus Christ, and the sacrifice has already been
given. We are to learn of Him and trust in Him. He will accomplish the rest
through people like you and me.
Teach us to LISTEN, Father; to You and to
one another. Teach us to love. Let Your Word be ALIVE for each one. We
receive You, Lord Jesus. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and give us peace. In
Jesus Name. Amen.
Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.fridaystudy.org
E-mail:
Ron@FridayStudy.org
Tel: (562) 688-5559
PO Box 92131
Long Beach, CA 90809-2131
"While
we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"
(Romans 5:8) |
