There is a man on social media who likes to share his opinion.
He believes this and he believes that.
I told him one of his opinions reeks of Calvinism.
He said he didn’t like to debate isms, that they cause division.
I read his posts.
They are mainly his interpretation of scripture and if you disagree,
you are debating or causing division,
which is really what he is encouraging by posting these subjects.
He elevates his arguments, so he can cast down
any ideas that he doesn’t agree with.
Then, he says to read 1 Corinthians 1, he thinks, to prove you are disagreeable.
1 Corinthians 1 is where Paul reprimands those
who are following people or doctrines.
We are to follow Christ, not people, neither doctrines or ideals.
That is true.
This man says if you disagree with him, you are a strife-causer,
when he really is the one instigating arguments, it seems,
so he can showcase his great knowledge.
Have you ever had an experience where you are
discussing something with someone and there are many right answers,
but yours gets shot down because the other person or persons
are so impressed with their own ideas?
That’s what this guy does.
He’s not the only one, there are many more like him.
So, what do we do?
How do we respond to that?
It’s a trap.
Don’t respond unless the Lord directs you and His Spirit is leading you.
It is beneficial to have discussions and studies about the word of God.
Good questions to ask yourself is: Will this bear fruit?
Or am I being thrust into a rats’ nest?
Is the truth being spoken in love?
When I talk to this person is there a goodness coming from the discussion?
Iron sharpens iron, so there are times when it is beneficial to delve into God’s word and even correct error or what we see that another person does not.
We can also be the ones being corrected
which should be accepted with humility.
When the intention is to debate or to prove your point, that is not good.
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:
not with wisdom of words,
lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 1 Corinthians 1:17
Those persons are causing strife,
as our message is not with the wisdom of words.
It is with the leading and power of the Holy Spirit.
People sometimes push the Holy Spirit aside to showcase their wisdom.
That does not glorify God.
And, that is what sharing the gospel is all about, glorifying Christ.
Jesus should always be the center, the focal point,
not the wonderful knowledge of another person.
Jesus loves it when we talk to others about Him to learn, to grow and share. When man’s doctrine is exalted and put up so it can be shot down,
that is not profitable to the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10
What is that thing, the same thing he is talking about?
That, according as it is written,
He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:31