September Article

To See Eye to Eye Religiously

by Mark White
c/o 2011 Southside Church of Christ

     Why do some people not see religious things the way we see them? Why is there so much difference between what we teach and what the denominational world professes?   Do we not all have the same Bible?   Are we not all trying to serve the same God?   Do we not all believe in the same Savior?   These are perplexing questions, and they are not easily answered to everyone's satisfaction.

     Basically, our understanding of the Scriptures differs from the majority of the religious world because we operate on a different principle of interpretation. To most religious people "truth" is relative, adjusting freely to different times and circumstances.   For us, however, truth is truth.  It is unalterable, unchangeable, and everlasting.  But did "we" just arbitrarily decide this would be our regard for truth?  Not at all!

     God's own word boldly claims "thy word is truth" (John 17:17) and "the word of the Lord is right; and all His works are done in truth" (Psalm 33:4).  While there are scoffers at the idea of absolute truth, we accept Bible teaching that such does exist, and we are determined to know it.  Pilate's piercing question, "What is truth?" (John 18:38) was prompted by these words from Jesus:  "I have come into the world that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."

     This then, is the basis upon which we may come to see religious matters alike.  There must be a commitment to the same standard of truth.  No one would ever attempt to use differing standards of measurement if building a house, marking off a football field, or sewing a garment.  This would certainly guarantee error and disaster.  Twelve inches must equal one foot on all our rulers if we desire uniformity. And just as important, there must be a healthy regard and respect for the Bible on the part of every religious person in order for understanding to occur. Without this common devotion to God's word, all efforts to see things the same will fail.  In order to come to agreement on matters essential to salvation, we must begin by recognizing that we must agree on the truth.  From this point we must study the Scriptures, resolving differences as we go along by the word of God. Major problems of difference are solved in small steps and through the truth, and by doing so we then can be united in Christ. But we will never see things the same if we cannot agree on the existence, necessity, and location of the truth.

     No Bible discussion is profitable unless every participant is a truth seeker.  If everyone concerned really wants the truth, then coming to an agreement and an understanding of truth will be achievable.  Believe it or not, it is possible to discuss religious differences without becoming rude or creating hurt feelings. People who love the truth are not concerned with who is right, but with what is right by God's word. Every truth seeker is willing to surrender any position if it is false. There is no other honorable course for an honest man. An honest man will seek the truth, and when he finds it he will believe it. "Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding" (Proverbs 23:23).