Dear Friends,
Recently
at a Bible study group I attend, we were discussing a particular aspect of
theology where there was a wide range of perspectives among those
participating. Several members were very passionate about their views, and
while respectful of one another, the discussion could easily have turned
argumentative had not those involved been relationally and spiritualty mature.
As I watched and
listened to the debate, I thought of a principle that was not only appropriate
for that particular occasion, but one that was universally true at all times,
especially in our politically charged environment where friends are quickly
made enemies because of the particular positions they hold.
"Choose being
kind over being right and you will be right every time." I had
memorized this quote by Richard Carlson because I believe it is an
important principle to keep in mind when witnessing to others.
When I first read this
quote, I thought of Paul's words to the Corinthians: "Knowledge puffs up
but love builds up. (1 Corinthians 8:1). How important it is to keep a
balance between knowledge (truth) and love.
It is so true that
"Knowledge can become a weapon to hurt people or a tool to build them
up." Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary, Warren Wiersbe, p
749.
How often I have seen
people try to argue others into the Kingdom with biblical truth rather than
loving them into the Kingdom through a biblical life.
It is certainly far
easier and more convenient to speak the truth than to live the truth, but we
must do both if we are to be successful witnesses for Christ. Truth is
important when sharing your faith, but we must always be careful to wrap the
truth in love.
Howard Newton reminds
us that "Truth is the art of making a point without making an enemy,"
and all Christians need to learn this principle. We can be right, but we can
never be unloving, for as Paul writes we must always "speak the truth in
love" (Ephesians 4:15).
When the newly formed church in Antioch needed some doctrinal
grounding, the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to visit Antioch. Why
Barnabas? I think it was because he was a loving truth teller, and because,
while grounded in doctrine, the church knew he wouldn't use his knowledge as a
club. They knew that he would be as interested in loving them as changing them.
Barnabas was loving, accepting and flexible, and no doubt he developed a real
ministry among that church where believers were first called Christians. It was
the church at Antioch that sent the first missionaries into Europe.
Fortunately, Barnabas knew that truth always needs to be
balanced with love, a love that is able to tolerate those who may think
differently, act differently, worship differently, and even believe
differently.
Christians must learn to disagree without becoming disagreeable.
We can witness to people by the way we 'disagree' with them.
This reminds me of the story involving Bishop Pike who for many
years was a strong defender of biblical truth. However, in later years, he
renounced biblical orthodoxy in favor of sciences and other non-biblical
revelations. Before his death he was involved in a debate with a well-known
Christian scholar who absolutely devastated him intellectually. The man ground
him up and spit him out. He made Bishop Pike look like a fool, and the sad
thing was that he didn't stop when Pike was down, but instead he kept whipping
him and beating on him. Some of those who came to the debate as defenders of
orthodox truth began losing their respect for the man who was acting so
ungraciously, and before long some of them were even siding with Bishop Pike.
As a result of the debate, the embarrassed Pike became even more adamant
and convinced of his beliefs. The Christian won the argument, but he lost a
soul in the process.
Later in the same year
Bishop Pike was involved in another debate, but this time it was with Francis
Schaeffer the leader of La'bri, theological retreat center. The Swiss
theologian and churchmen was not only known for his grace and wisdom, but for
his orthodox religious beliefs. Orthodox but loving, Schaeffer debated Bishop
Pike's belief system graciously and lovingly. He pointed out the errors in
Pikes belief system, but he did it in a charitable and non-dogmatic fashion. He
would make his point and then he would back off, always giving Bishop Pike the
opportunity to respond.
Do you know where Bishop Pike was
headed before he mysteriously died in the desert? He was going to La'bri
to sit at the feet and learn from Francis Schaeffer.
Let us be reminded once again of the words of the 16th
century theologian who wrote, "In essentials unity; In non-
essentials liberty; In all things, charity."
Yours in faith and friendship,
Tom
Adapted from a
previous Leadership Thought
No comments:
Post a Comment