I know Christians who are very strong on doctrine. Ultra strong! Almost Pharisaically strong. Yet their attitudes are mean-spirited, evil-minded, and bitter-hearted. The opposite of Christlike. It is obvious to everyone around them that they are not following the teaching of the lowly lamb of God that came to die for the sheep.
At the opposite end of that spectrum are Christians who are over-the-top sugary sweet but have no grounding in any fundamentals of any doctrines and are blown too and fro by every wind of doctrine to be inclusive of every kind of sin and degradation. This isn’t Christlike either.
The Christlike attitude is to have a gracious attitude and a humble heart that allows the Lord Jesus Christ to work in both of you.
- Discussion? Yes!
- Disagreement? Yes!
- Division? No!
I love this quote from Chuck Smith on one of the most contentious questions of Christian faith…
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’ (Matthew 7:15-23; Matthew 12:33-37; Luke 6:43-45)
We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have toward all the saints, because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Good News, which has come to you; even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;
who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love; in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins; (Colossians 1:3-14; 1 Corinthians 1:4-9; Philippians 1:3-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4)
So, before I spend the time and brainpower to understand your particular take on some verse or some topic or some concept, please let me evaluate how you are living in light of these scriptures…
- 1 Corinthians 12-13 — Spiritual Gifts Bestowed. Many Members, One Body. Spiritual Gifts. Love!
- Galatians 5-6 — Freedom in Christ. Living by the Spirit (Romans 8:9-11). Bear One Another’s Burdens. Paul’s Final Warning. Benediction!
- Ephesians 4-6 — Unity in the Body (Psalm 133:1-3; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17). Living as Children of Light. Imitators of God. Children of Light. Wives and Husbands (Song of Solomon 1:1-3; 1 Peter 3:1-7). Children and Parents (Deuteronomy 6:20-25). Slaves and Masters (1 Timothy 6:1-2). The Full Armor of God. Pray Continually. Final Greetings!
- Philippians 1-2 — Greetings from Paul (2 Samuel 6:12-15; 1 Chronicles 15:1-14; Colossians 1:1-2), Thanksgiving and Prayer (1 Corinthians 1:4-9; Colossians 1:3-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4). Paul’s Trials Advance the Gospel (James 1:2-8). To Live is Christ. Be Worthy of the Gospel. Being One in Christ. The Attitude of Christ (Isaiah 52:13-15). Shining as Stars (Matthew 5:13-16).
- Colossians 2-3 — Built Up in Christ (Revelation 3:14-22). Alive in Christ. Put on the New Self. Christian Households.
- What is the fruit of the Spirit and where does it come from?
- A form of godliness (show of religion, piety, holiness, outward righteousness)
- The shocking war between the good intentions of the flesh and the spirit
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13-18 WEB)