One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.- Rom 14:5
Within the Christian Church, and even within specific denominations, many people spend a considerable amount of time arguing about specific religious practices.
"This type of food should be abstained from during this period."
"This type of clothing should not be worn at church."
"This holiday has pagan roots and should not be celebrated."
Now to be clear, well reasoned theological debate plays an important role in the Church - it keeps us from becoming conceited in our own knowledge. But too much of this debate simply acts as a distraction.
Unless we already believe ourselves to be all knowing, it is inevitable that during our lives we will change our minds on many topics.
Paul tells us that we "should be fully convinced in our own minds" meaning we should have good reason to believe what we believe. Since we don't know what we don't know, it is impossible to know precisely which of our theological beliefs will stand the test of time and which will be replaced when new knowledge is revealed to us. Such knowledge will only come through faithfully striving toward the Truth, which is Christ Himself (John 14:6).
We can't control the fact that we have partial knowledge here on earth. But what we can control is making sure we act in accordance with at least what we think is true. What is the point of trying to accumulate new beliefs if we are not even faithfully living out our current ones?
If I believe that reading the Bible is supremely important, but I only open it a couple times a week, I prove by my actions that I don't actually believe that reading the Bible is supremely important. I demonstrate that I am not, "fully convinced in my own mind" of this belief.
The poet William Blake once said, "The fool that persists in his folly will become wise." Some of our beliefs will be wise, some foolish. But the folly or wisdom of the specifics of our faith will be only made apparent to us when we consistently live it out.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God
- 1 Cor 10:31
One of the greatest dangers is to believe in your own "truth".
1 Cor. 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
This passage seems impossible except that we learn to think what the Lord knows. And when you get there, you do need to act because "faith" is really an action word. The fruit of the Spirit is the manifestation of the will of the Father. Good fruit is His actions thru us.
Bobby, I really enjoy your blog and I'm praying that it will increases in…