Christians Won't Always Agree

If you are a new believer, let me just warn you: there are many Jesus-followers and they agree: the Bible is the Word of God, Jesus is the resurrected Son of God and has paid the price for our forgiveness on the cross giving us eternal life. Also, you will sooner than later discover that Christians seem to contradict each other when some at one church say, "The Bible is very clear that ___", while another church says something else is actually very clear. It can be confusing if you are hungry to learn what the Bible truly teaches. Making a decision on who is right can feel like you are rolling some dice, leaving you with some uncertainty. What is a new believer to do? The wonderful thing about God's Word is that we are taught in it that part of our Christian walk with God means searching for answers in His Word, in the natural world, and in us where the Holy Spirit resides. Let me explain each of these points. First, we learn in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV), "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Here we learn that we can trust that all of Scripture is the result of God graciously giving it to us through His messengers. We find so many people who shared their experiences with God throughout the Bible. God made sure to preserve it for us even thousands of years later. Therefore, what the Bible says is our authority because God is our Lord. We live in obedience to the One who created, forgave, and teaches us about Himself.

Second, the psalmist says it beautifully in Psalm 19:1, "The heavens tell of the glory of God;

And their expanse declares the work of His hands." We cannot look around our world, or even study about the complexities of nature or of ourselves and not be moved by the truth that Someone made it all. Everything is too intelligently designed. Everything is too beautiful. Different scents in flowers, and different colors. Different animals, some impressive, others our pet best friends. A reflexion of care and love from our Creator declared in the 'work of His hands'. Third, when we repent of our sins and put our trust in Jesus' work on the cross, we receive the promise of the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us. He is not a silent visitor. He comes in and He changes us. He prompts us to read His Word. He gives us opportunities to learn more about Him. He internally 'whispers' reminders of what His Word says, and what it means as it is applied in our life. John 16:13 says, "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come." And here is where we ask: but why don't we all believe the same things as Christians sometimes? I believe our Creator designed us as discoverers rather than parrots. What? In Matthew 13:44, we read that Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." In a sense, the Holy Spirit is telling us: "dig there". When we read His Word, when we dive deeper and engage our God-given mind and heart, we stumble upon something wonderful, unlike anything else here on earth. We learn more about Him. We learn the Truth. This is a totally satisfying and overflowing experience we have been graced to experience with Him. Rather than simply having been told what everything means and repeating a script so to speak, like a parrot would, we get to connect intellectually with God. Good things are worth searching for. God character is appreciated greater when found. But what do I do when someone tells me I'm the one that is wrong? There are several places in the Bible where we find Christians teaching each other what they have been taught by God. Mary, the mother of Jesus shared her experience and exchange with the angel, and as a result, we get to know what happened in that very private moment. The woman at the well did not keep what Jesus shared with her to herself, but rather sought to tell as many about his visit encouraging them to see him for themselves. They and many others in God's Word teach us about God. Pricilla taught a man needing more information about Jesus to share it more fully with others. The women at the empty grave went to tell the disciples about Jesus' resurrection. Paul had to correct Peter, reminding him about the teachings of Jesus. Peter reinforced Paul's teachings elsewhere. Jesus instructed his believers to go and preach the gospel to the world.

My point being: God wants to use people too. He can use more learned teachers, pastors, parents to help correct us where we are wrong. Still, Christians might not be right all the time either. In those times when you are convinced God's Word does not teach what someone else is claiming is right over what you believe, remember God can even use that exchange to reinforce in you what is true. We can see the weaknesses in their arguments, while keeping our temptation to be rude at bay. Also, it's not necessary for us to be right about everything, because remember, this is something we are led by God in this life. We are learning about Him at His time and pace. So enjoy the experience God has given us here on earth. Enjoy the "not knowing to knowing the Truth". Rejoice being infinitely so tiny and yet being given a measure of revelation about our infinitely great God. And remember, we aren't going to agree on everything. In those moments, also remember we can trust He will guide us to His Truth.