"But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from THESE things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions."
I was sitting in a large and very slick leather chair at the local watering-hole, known as Dunkin Donuts, yesterday morning when I ran across this passage in my quiet time. It caught me a little off-guard, in a sense, because it dealt with something that I've been hearing a lot about in the past month. I'm not talking about how bad Tennessee's football program is this year...I'm talking about fruitless discussions. Ok....I guess Tennessee can be thrown into that one too.
My point is this: over the past two months or so I have talked to students, answered questions in my Sunday School class and mentoring group, had conversations with Sunday School teachers, and discussions with other believers about a certain topic of doctrine. I won't go into detail about what the doctrine is or what my views are on the topic, because that is not what I want this post to be about.
I have realized through all of these conversations that "The Topic" leads to frustration, hurt feelings (in some cases), more questions and doubts, and ultimately fruitless discussion. The Bible has verses that back up each side of the coin so to say, but honestly, we as Christians can get so caught up into this particular topic that it affects how we interact with the lost world and with each other. It leads into fruitless conversations. I'm not saying that this topic is bad by any means! I'm just saying that there is a time and place for Christians to discuss it and talk about it, but all too often someone will throw the topic out in the middle of a conversation to start a debate. THAT is when it becomes fruitless.
I've notice as well that when the mentioning of the topic turns into a debate on "the topic", everyone becomes an expert. Honestly, we can talk until we are blue in the face about it, but we will never have the definitive answer. Only God knows. During these conversations we tend to push God to the side and try to figure it all out through our limited human knowledge. I love the quote from a Paul Newman movie that says "You oughta stop playin' God, 'cause you're no good at it, and the position's taken!"
I think this is why Paul is so passionate in this chapter to his son Timothy. He warns Timothy about these men who have a passion for teaching, even though they don't understand what they want to teach. They get caught up in fruitless discussion. Paul basically points out that there is really only one thing that matters when you boil it down to the end. We are filthy sinners in need of salvation, and God graciously offers it freely to us. His abundant grace and salvation is offered to all and He exhibits perfect patience in order that more may come to accept His offer.
1 Timothy 1:12-16
"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
THAT is what matters. Not the fruitless discussions. Not the debates. Not the judgmental looks or remarks because someone stands on one side of the issue. It's ALL about Jesus. It's all about taking the gospel to the sick and sinful. To those who need it the most. I used to be that way. I just rejoice that I'm no longer in that group.
But my job is to share it. To share the simplicity of the gospel message.
Pure.
Simple.
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