Home  Articles  Site map

Have you understood that many times our ideas are moulded by our family background, denomination, community, culture, etc.? Then, any idea that seems to be outside these boxes instinctively seems to be 'wrong' to us! Some of us will be so loyal to what we have always believed that we are willing to fight for it. But isn't it possible that at least sometimes, our so-called sense of loyalty is actually preventing us from knowing the truth? We may imagine we are standing loyal to our family, our denomination, our leader, etc., but we may be actually standing against the truth!

One point we must be clear about in our mind is that none of us is completely right, neither we ourselves, our families, our denomination or the Bible teachers we are following. We were all born in sin, and even after we have been born again, we have only started coming slowly out of the ignorance, corruption, superstitions, wrong teachings, etc. I have come to see that there is not even one church or one Bible teacher (including me!) who has got everything right, but we all ought to be willing to receive correction and learn always.

What would you do if you discover one day that one doctrine you believed was wrong? Would you admit it, or would you consider your reputation or the position of your church to be more important? Going a little further, if you are employed by a church or a para-church organisation and you find that some positions they have been taking are wrong, what would your reaction be? If the leader you respect has reportedly made a mistake, will you think it is unthinkable, and try to justify him at all costs?

Of course, every difference in doctrine or interpretation is not worth taking up a fight about (Ro.14:1). We have to reckon with the fact of life that as long as we are on this earth, there will always be differences of opinion, and we will need to bear with the people who hold many of them. But there are also points on which we cannot compromise. As someone said, wisdom is to know the difference!

Until we face the truth and accept it and allow it to change us, it will do no practical good for us. But if we submit ourselves to the truth, it will set us free from ignorance and bondage (Jn.8:32). At this point, let us make a determination in our heart that personally we will always seek the truth and be willing to be corrected and taught new ideas. Don't you think that this would be the minimum position we can take as individuals? Whether and how we would take it up with the others needs wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Ignorance of the truth or wrong understanding of parts of the truth are parts of the imperfection we have. We will never be perfect in this area on earth. On our side we need to press on towards perfection, and we need to be patient with the others as much as we want them to be patient with us too, perhaps about other parts of the truth! In love we can grow together along with the others.

Tweet