Below are two paintings… masterpieces. One is by Georges Seurat (A Sunday Afternoon on LaGrand Jatte), the other is by Rembrandt (Night Watch). You will never see these two paintings displayed at the same time, side by side, even though the same museum is in possession of both works of art. Click HERE for resource for this post… {Am investigating validity of the website’s declaration… there is some question} (Scroll down)
The reason is that George Seurat painted his masterpiece on the back of Rembrandt’s painting. I guess canvass was in short supply. Never the less, there is beauty on BOTH SIDES of the canvass. One is dark… the other is light. One has a happy theme, the other doesn’t. One depicts leisure, the other is considering war. So what’s the point?
There are always two sides. One may not, does not, and cannot be ruled out for the other. One perspective does not invalidate the other either. NOW…
Just because you disagree with someone does not mean they are to be written off. Just because someone disagrees with you does not mean they are your enemy. It does not mean that their thoughts or direction or even their call is less important or vital than yours. Of course we are talking about within the realm of Biblical orthodoxy and morality. There is right and wrong, moral and immoral behavior, sound doctrine and heresy. But if one congregation is called to spread the Gospel one way that is different from another, there is no conflict. If one congregation is called to one ministry while another carries it out differently, that is acceptable.
If one of your friends espouses the Reformed Doctrine of Predestination and you don’t… take a breath. If one believes Once Saved Always Saved and you don’t… it’s not that big of a deal. If a family member sprinkles their baby and you embrace baptism by immersion after salvation, it is okay. Remember what Paul wrote one time in Philippians 1:15-18…
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
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