Being A Son/Daughter, Being Church (11)
Not being an expert in church history, officially speaking, I can, however, share one of the greatest pains in the heart of a Father who desires the unity of His children – dissension between brothers.
Just as in a disunited family, where everyone can think and decide to live in their own way, in the family of God The Father – His Church – we can see the same difficulty: many times we hear that ‘everyone lives the faith in the way they believe, that is, in their own way’.
Yes, each of us has been given the precious free will. That’s why salvation is personal and individual – none of us can decide or live out salvation for someone else. And yes, living life requires courage.
Every decision has a consequence, which is why it’s crucial to make the decision that favors us. If our decisions favor us, they will certainly favor other people, if they are fair decisions.
In a family, unity is essential. In the church too. But how can we be united? By agreeing.
But where can agreement between everyone come from? From the great source of wisdom. If we take into account what wisdom teaches us for all things, we will naturally agree – if the source of wisdom is the same for each of us…
In Proverbs we find it written:
‘My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments with you, To make your ear attentive to wisdom, and incline your heart to understanding; If you cry out for knowledge, and lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek it like silver and like hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He reserves true wisdom for the upright. A shield is for those who walk uprightly, That they may keep the paths of judgment. He will preserve the way of his saints. Then you will understand justice, judgment, fairness and all good paths. For when wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, Good wisdom will keep you, and understanding will preserve you…’ Proverbs 2:1-11 ACF Online Bible
‘All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…’ II Timothy 3:16 ACF Online Bible
‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it.‘ Proverbs 22:6 ACF Online Bible
Sometimes we hear and even say: ‘God knows all things’.
So we can learn from what He teaches us, and apply it to our lives every day…
But where to start?
