“He who knows not and knows not he knows not he is a fool – shun him. He who knows not and knows he knows not he is simple – teach him.”
– Isabel Burton
If we were to walk down the street and ask one hundred different people about their views on God, we would most definitely get one hundred different answers.
What is the cause of this?
It could be one or more of numerous different possible philosophical or theological reasons. We wouldn’t even get the same answer if we asked one hundred different Christians, though there would be common threads.
There seem to be almost as many different denominations of the Church as there are people glong to church.
The Bible has been translated into many different languages with more translations created every day.
Sure, they all have the correct fundamentals: baptism, repentance, being born again in Christ.
Yet if you were to ask leaders of all these different sects, Orthodox Christians, Catholics, and the seemingly endless lists of denominations that abide under the canopy called Protestantism, about smaller items in the Christian teachings, they would probably disagree with one another.
My point?
We can’t even for a second believe that we as human beings have it all figured out.
We don’t have all the answers. We do, however, have the answers that can save people.
That is one of the reasons that we get a sour reputation in this society.
Some of the more notable people in Christian circles have the attitude that they are perfect. They might preach to the contrary, but their egos get the best of them. And when they do stumble (which is only human), people think of them as hypocrites and disregard everything that ever has and ever will come out of their mouths.
Do not get me wrong. I am not condemning these individuals.
John Hembree, a great friend of mine who I assume you are all familiar with, said it perfectly. Though I can not remember his exact words, he wished to see a minister step up to the podium and say, ” Look at me. See my faults.”
We are not perfect. We do not have all the answers. And to parade around like we do is irresponsible. That attitude will reach no one. They will tune us out.
What is my plan?
I plan to pray, and let God show me his will. I plan to read the Word. I plan to not be judgmental or proud, but to show people forgiveness and humility.
And I will not stop learning. Because, when you believe you have all the answers, all of your hard work goes out of the window.
And all of our different plans must now and forever have one thing in common: to give the people of this dreary world the answers we do have.
Vaya con Dios
TJB
Leave a Reply