Resources/Articles
But What If They Do?
Adam Litmer shared a conversation he had with a Christian recently. This Christian was concerned bout something being done in the congregation they’d been visiting. I offered a few thoughts based on the little information I was given before offering this counsel: “If you’re thinking of joining that congregation, and you’re truly troubled by this, ask the elders to sit down with you and make the Bible case. Follow along closely and see if they can.” The response is the title to this article: “But what if they do?”
My first thought was, “What kind of question is that? If they make the Bible case, just do what the Bible says.” And of course, that is the answer to which every Bible-believing child of God must finally subscribe. We do what God tells us to do. While it is that simple, it isn’t always easy. Let’s think about this for a few minutes.
I know what I believe and why I believe it. Most of us do. I believe that I can make a good biblical case for everything that I do and believe. I suspect that most people who take the time to read this feel the same about themselves. I have opportunity to defend the things that I believe over the years more times than I can count. You probably have too. I have considered opposing views and shown them, at least to my own satisfaction, to be erroneous through careful use of scripture. I’m certain you’ve done the same. Yet there have been occasions when such discussions and examinations have led to a different conclusion. I have been wrong. I need to change a belief or practice. Have you been there? This is where the challenge comes in.
If I have held a belief or practice for a long time, it can be painful to have it proven incomplete, or more painful still, simply wrong. If the belief or practice has been held by people I hold dear, it can even be traumatic. It is the easiest thing in the world to say, “If I am doing something contrary to scripture, you’d be a friend to point it out.” It is something else entirely when someone does and proves it from scripture.
Am I an Apollos, willing to be taught the way of God more accurately (Acts 17.26)? Am I a Berean, willing to eagerly examine scripture to see what I’ve been told tis so (Acts 17.10-11)? Or am I more like the lawyer, who, uncomfortable with being challenged, sought to justify himself before Jesus rather than change his belief and practice (Luke 10.25-29)?
“But what if they do?” It’s not a silly question at all, is it? It’s a probing, self-revealing one. Do I love God and his truth more than I love my own cherished beliefs and/or those of my group? Do I love God and his truth enough to do what’s necessary, should the Bible case really and truly be made? “But what if they do?” What a great question! How would you answer?
