There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under the Sun. Ecclesiastes 3:1
Differing points of view
Considering the fact that there is only one Bible and that almost all Christian churches rely on it to define their faith I have to wonder – why do we have so many points of view?
Same book, same words, same God, but yet we seem so entangled in an ongoing debate about the difference. “You are wrong and I am right”, here’s “my proof now show me yours” “there’s only one truth and it’s mine” like squabbling children Christians can sometimes lose sight of the bigger questions in life.
Forget “them” for a moment and remember him instead. How well are you reflecting his image in your life? In your character? Have you shown the difference to the people you have met?
No cheating now, you don’t get to choose your life’s best moments and parade them side by side as if they demonstrate your daily essence. No, just use today. Think it through – was the difference shown in you? All the reading in the world doesn’t change a heart – God can though. All the debate and fervent study can’t improve a person’s grasp of heaven without His spirit. Where are you right now? Is it where you ought to be?
We are all charged with following in his footsteps, becoming more like him. As we study the Bible and pray we learn, we grow and then we become more like him. And to be like him is to be a person of reflection, encouragement, explanation and action. No one aspect blocking all others in everything balanced, in everything seeking to do our heavenly fathers will.
It is easy to get so hung up on the finer points of theology that we become Pharisees when he wanted followers. Now none of his disciples were perfect, in fact they seem to have understood very little indeed. But they followed. The gambled their whole lives on him being right and followed. Frequently confused they asked question after question trying to understand and showing just how out of step they really were.
They hadn’t yet become attuned to heaven’s wavelength but no matter, they were still following. At the trial and crucifixion they were confused, as if they had suddenly stepped into another story not the one they signed up for at all. But still they followed, even if it was from a distance. They had no special talent or understanding, no monopoly on truth, they were less well educated and spiritual than many who surrounded them with scorn. But one thing those disciples really knew how to do and it was this - follow. No matter their imperfections and failings, their unworthiness and confusion, to human eyes it was hopeless nonetheless they just kept on following even until the end.
Then what? Then suddenly they were learning, growing and understanding and finally leading! Their eyes were opened, the Spirit awakened their understanding and it finally made sense. They were now on heaven’s wavelength.
And what a difference that made to them, the Jews, the gentiles and you and me. People around the world now sit down to read the books they have written, to understand the things they seek to explain.
Yes, we have different points of view. Yes we must strive to grow in our understanding and faith. But take just one look at the pictures below - they are all of the same place taken from different points of view.
The same place, the same camera, the same time of day. Does the image change the place or does it simply tell us about the photographer, where he stood, what view he liked, how he captured what he saw?
The big question is - am I reflecting what God is really like or am I giving a distorted view? Am I busy learning and growing or am I distracted by endless debate and unanswerable questions? God has sheep in many folds – I must concentrate on making sure I am one who hears his voice and follows, no matter where it is that he leads.
Considering the fact that there is only one Bible and that almost all Christian churches rely on it to define their faith I have to wonder – why do we have so many points of view?
Same book, same words, same God, but yet we seem so entangled in an ongoing debate about the difference. “You are wrong and I am right”, here’s “my proof now show me yours” “there’s only one truth and it’s mine” like squabbling children Christians can sometimes lose sight of the bigger questions in life.
Forget “them” for a moment and remember him instead. How well are you reflecting his image in your life? In your character? Have you shown the difference to the people you have met?
No cheating now, you don’t get to choose your life’s best moments and parade them side by side as if they demonstrate your daily essence. No, just use today. Think it through – was the difference shown in you? All the reading in the world doesn’t change a heart – God can though. All the debate and fervent study can’t improve a person’s grasp of heaven without His spirit. Where are you right now? Is it where you ought to be?
We are all charged with following in his footsteps, becoming more like him. As we study the Bible and pray we learn, we grow and then we become more like him. And to be like him is to be a person of reflection, encouragement, explanation and action. No one aspect blocking all others in everything balanced, in everything seeking to do our heavenly fathers will.
It is easy to get so hung up on the finer points of theology that we become Pharisees when he wanted followers. Now none of his disciples were perfect, in fact they seem to have understood very little indeed. But they followed. The gambled their whole lives on him being right and followed. Frequently confused they asked question after question trying to understand and showing just how out of step they really were.
They hadn’t yet become attuned to heaven’s wavelength but no matter, they were still following. At the trial and crucifixion they were confused, as if they had suddenly stepped into another story not the one they signed up for at all. But still they followed, even if it was from a distance. They had no special talent or understanding, no monopoly on truth, they were less well educated and spiritual than many who surrounded them with scorn. But one thing those disciples really knew how to do and it was this - follow. No matter their imperfections and failings, their unworthiness and confusion, to human eyes it was hopeless nonetheless they just kept on following even until the end.
Then what? Then suddenly they were learning, growing and understanding and finally leading! Their eyes were opened, the Spirit awakened their understanding and it finally made sense. They were now on heaven’s wavelength.
And what a difference that made to them, the Jews, the gentiles and you and me. People around the world now sit down to read the books they have written, to understand the things they seek to explain.
Yes, we have different points of view. Yes we must strive to grow in our understanding and faith. But take just one look at the pictures below - they are all of the same place taken from different points of view.
The same place, the same camera, the same time of day. Does the image change the place or does it simply tell us about the photographer, where he stood, what view he liked, how he captured what he saw?
The big question is - am I reflecting what God is really like or am I giving a distorted view? Am I busy learning and growing or am I distracted by endless debate and unanswerable questions? God has sheep in many folds – I must concentrate on making sure I am one who hears his voice and follows, no matter where it is that he leads.