-Devotion by Jeremy Martin (TN)
Today’s reading in 1 Corinthians 1 hits me a little close to home, in a lot of ways. I “self-identify” with a number of labels; and it makes me feel better, as if I am part of a larger whole, a part of “my team”. We all do it to a point, and to a certain degree it is helpful in identifying like-minded folks. I self identify, because of my scriptural beliefs as: a Biblical Unitarian, a Dynamic Monarchian, a Restorationist, a Biblical Monotheist, and a Primitive Christian. I’m proud of all of those things, and believe that I’ve come to those labels by studying scripture, finding the truth in God’s spirit, and my labels keep me warm when I wrap myself up in them. Our reading today, however, chastens me and lets me know that I should be cautious when labelling myself, and humbly acknowledge that what we really are is just servants of the Christ, who is himself the servant of God.
In my time at the Bible College all of my teachers were amazing, and there were two professors there that I’m going to quote today as examples; Joe Martin (my dad, who is awesome even above my own personal bias) and Kent Ross (who gave the sermon at camp that caused me to get baptized). Both of them believed in both grace and truth as critical aspects of religion, but each held a different view on which was predominant. “GRACE!” my father would say, “but truth is important.”. “TRUTH!” Kent would say, “but grace is also important.”. Brother Kent has fallen asleep now, and my father’s eyes have been darkened (but not his mind nor his spirit). I find myself agreeing with both of them, and sometimes it is difficult to find the perfect balance between these 2 critical aspects of the same coin.
Today in the Christian world, there are an estimated 45000 denominations. This is just Christians alone, but worldwide. There are 4 to 10 sects of Judaism, with other sub-groups that make it harder to put an exact number to (although there are 3 sects that are predominant). The Muslim faith has 2 primary branches, and numerous “schools of thought”, and is predicted to have division of 73 different sects. Why have we divided ourselves, so much? Aren’t we all children of the same God? Each of these groups, each individual sect or subsect, believes that they have a critical aspect of truth that makes them unique. I will absolutely agree that with so many different and sometimes opposing beliefs, some of them will be incorrect, but the most critical thing that I take away from today’s reading is: that’s not for me to decide for anybody else, but with fear and trembling to work out my own salvation (Phil 2:12).
In our 1 Corinthians 1 reading today, Paul calls us all back to unity. In 1 Cor 1:10, he urges us to “all agree (or, “say the same thing”) and that there be no divisions among you…“(LSB). In 1 Cor 1:11-12 he continues on to say that he knows of quarrels and divisions among the church, with some of the brothers claiming Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas as their “self-identifying” position. With so many differing opinions it’s going to be difficult to “all say the same thing”, so how should we proceed? The key and critical verse here is in 1 Cor 1:13, where he asks bluntly: “Has Christ been divided?“. The answer is, clearly, no. It is men who have become divided, and I will even venture to say that it is mostly because of pride. “I’m right, and you’re wrong, so I win!” is a mentality that we must avoid at all costs, because that is just straight up pride speaking, and God mocks the proud.
“But truth!” you may exclaim, and you are right. We should all agree, and what we should agree on is specifically God’s word as it has been given to us in scripture: where scripture speaks loudly we should also speak loudly, and where scripture is silent, we should be silent. I am in no way saying we should not speak truth, the Bereans fiercely sought truth by checking everything in scripture and were commended for it. What I am saying is that when we speak the truth, it should be in love, spoken with patience and longsuffering mercy, not as to a combatant who is speaking lies but as to a brother or sister who may be mistaken, just as we could be mistaken.
“Grace!” I say, but also, the truth is important. Not so important that I want to jeopardize my entry into the kingdom of heaven by not showing you the love that God showed me, but I will patiently and lovingly, with great concern for your feelings and person, with overwhelming forgiveness and mercy (just like God had for me) discuss with you my understanding of scripture if you like, and hope that you find a relationship with my King as I have. The God who made us, the same God who patiently reached down and pulled me to Him, will do the same for any who seek after Him.
Since my King who was innocent humbly took the offenses given to him quietly and without raising his voice, should I do differently? The Christ has not been divided, he has been nailed to a cross for my transgression, so that our God could “cut a covenant” with us anew. That does not place me in a position of authority, but of humility. I’m not even a Jew, but a dog of a Gentile! (Matt 15:27). What right do I have to get puffed up with pride? I am just a man, I could be mistaken, I have changed the way I believed about certain things based on scripture, and these things are important to me but that in no way changes the fact that I am the tail and not the head: God is the head of Christ, and the Christ is the head of me (1 Cor 11:3).
But God, our Creator and our Sustainer, who thought so highly of us that he sent us our king Yeshua (Jesus) to redeem us offers us a way. Considering others to be greater than ourselves, we should entreat them with love to examine the scripture, and examine it ourselves even more deeply. Then, not just reading the word, we should do our very best to reflect the amazing love and character of our God to all of our fellow creation, living in obedience to the best of our ability to God’s word, and remaining humble.
Our King didn’t say we had to have a perfect understanding to enter into the Kingdom, our King said that “Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven…” (Matt 5:19, LSB). This is super important, because it seeems to indicate that you can have an incorrect doctrine and still enter in to the kingdom (but it may impact your status there). Is the truth important? Yes, of course it is, especially to you, but obeying God and showing others the grace that God showed you is, I would argue, even more important (but I am just a man and I could be wrong). Grace to you, and truth, and may God lead us.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Have you ever changed the way you believed or thought about something based on scripture?
- When you discuss your faith with others who believe differently, do you always reflect God’s character?
- DO you ever discuss your faith with others who believe differently, and why or why not?
- Is there a perfect balance, a way to express truth while exhibiting God’s patient and compassionate grace?
- What are some ways we can reflect God’s love to our fellow creation?
- Are you able to, like Christ, take an offense given, both patiently and humbly?
PRAYER
Lord God, thank you for my life, and for the breath You have breathed into my lungs, for the fact that I woke up today. Forgive me of my many iniquities and shortcomings, and instruct me in the way that I should go to be a servant who pleases You. May the lips of all of Your creation offer you praise, and bow to the king that you have anointed, to Your glory. Father, let me show Your love today. In Jesus name, Amen.
Seek Grow Love 