SortingBeans

Recently, I’ve been trusted

Everyone experiences that, yes? Someone, sometime, trusts you with something – something precious. Whether small or large, priceless or pity, when entrusted with something that your truster finds of value, you have found an unearned favor in the eyes of that person. I’ve been entrusted with many things in my life, and many times I’ve dropped the ball, while others I’ve not done too bad. One thing I have been entrusted with, to which the use of it is still too much for me to bear in and of myself, is the Word of God. For the Lord to have done a sanctifying and saving work in me is beyond my ability to reconcile. All I do at this point is trust He is good and wants to do a good work in me. Let Him be glorified forever, Amen.

I’m not sure if that was a tangent, but it seemed to fit into context.

Am I talking about salvation here? No. Recently me and a friend have been exchanging our thoughts and understandings of Scripture. Specifically speaking, we are discussing some theological doctrines that we have different views on. So what does this have to do with trust? Well, my friend has trusted me. This person has trusted me with their understanding of Scripture, and has welcomed mine, also. In exchange, I have done the same. To some, this can be a vulnerable area, and I am very grateful I have been given the opportunity to discuss theology. What is more is that we are both pursuing Christ, and both want to glorify God in our pursuits.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom

There can be freedom in our conversation, because there is not a division of the Spirit of God. We are both in the Christian worldview; which excludes Jahova’s Witnesses, Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints), Masons, New Age Christianity, Church of Christ Scientists, Universalism, and many more. Basically, Christianity is exclusive. It stands alone from all other religions. Do not get this mixed up with denominations. As we are of different denominations, we are still under the Christian perspective, which is guided by the authoritative, infallible Word of God.

Vigorously debate, but do not divide

While we are not really debating, this can happen between brothers and sisters in Christ. It does not mean that it is bad. Actually, it can be good. I have another friend who I debated with and we are extremely good friends, because our purpose wasn’t to attack each other. If you are not ready for debating, or your Christian sibling is not ready for it, then don’t do it. The purpose is to glorify God, not self. So, Christians can debate “in house,” but please, do not let it divide.

Through this process I learn

I learn how my friend thinks, and they learn how I think. I am able to receive some objections to what I believe, and the same with them. We learn from each other, us Christians. There are some things within Christendom that are not negotiable. The major ones are:

• The centrality of Jesus
• The fallen nature of mankind
• The Trinity – or Triune nature of God
• The Oneness of God
• Salvation by grace alone, through faith alone; it is not earned
• Jesus, thus Christianity, is entirely exclusive
• Jesus is the only way to the Father
• Jesus, indeed, rose physically from the grave and is returning for his bride, the Church
• Jesus was born of a virgin

This is all I can think of right now, you may want to add to the list. What people do need to understand is that a person new in faith – a babe in Christ – who has not learned of these doctrines does not mean they are outside of Christian faith. They are simply growing – and this can be a long process. It is the utter denial of these doctrines that puts someone on the outside of Christendom.

So I am thankful

I have been entrusted with my friend’s understanding of some doctrine(s). I, too, put myself on a limb and share my understandings of Scripture with them. It is a wonderful thing when Christians can have as much grace with each other as they do with non-Christians!

Have you had the opportunity to reveal what you understand the Scriptures to mean? Have you had the opportunity to share your theological understandings? Find someone you can trust and give it a try! Give grace, receive grace.

- Jonathan J.