|
 Ready
to Give Answer — from
page one
giving opportunity and effort to accurately
understand issues between us and to deliberately consider God’s
word on these subjects.
“Between
us” means the participants — for we represent no one else.
Arlington and Leakey meetings can not settle anything for “the
brotherhood”. This is no “conference” of delegates.
Liberal brethren may try to “use” it for propaganda
advantage, as they did the Arlington meeting; and conservative
brethren may cavil, and show an equally sectarian concept of “our”
party — but God’s work must continue.
I
know that God wants His children to he ONE, and to this end has
given them ONE Lord. ONE faith, etc. (Eph. 4) The way of unity,
our only hope for unity, is finding that ONE faith, and abiding
in it. This must be done on an individual basis — one by one
we learn truth and accept it. THERE ARE NO PARTY DOCTRINES from
a scriptural viewpoint; hence there can be no “adjusting” or
“compromise” of positions to bring about Bible unity.
But
I am not infallible, nor is my brother. When we differ it is due
to differing attitudes toward the word of God, or failure to
understand its teaching. This calls for discussion, under the
most favorable
|
|
circumstance for unbiased
consideration. It could be done before an audience (Acts
28:23-f) or it could be done in a more private manner. (Acts
18:26) BUT IT MUST BE DONE! If we fail to make the Leakey
meeting what it ought to be, may God help us to try again!!
Who
thinks for me, acts for me; for words and deeds are but the
results, the fruits of my heart. (Matt. 15: 18—20 12:34—35)
Since I will be judged eternally by my words and my deeds (Matt.
12:36-f. Rom. 2:6-f) when I relinquish freedom of thought, I put
my eternal destiny in another’s hands. Nor can I excuse myself
by saying “He is more capable — etc.” God made me a
free-agent — and I have refused a God-given responsibility. It
is sinful to submit to any power but that of God — i.e., to
allow any other to be first. I can keep God first in my heart
only when I draw my own conclusions regarding His will. (Rom.
14: 4-5, 12; 1 Cor. 6:12)
We
all learn from one another. The experienced, the trained
student, the technical teacher are all needed. But my faith must
not stand in the wisdom of men. (1 Cor. 2:1-5) Men may guide me,
but the conclusions must be my own, believed and acted upon
because I have concluded that God, not man, said so. THINK ON
THESE THINGS!!
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
