I was working on a blog about cessasionism vs continualism, the debate on the operation and gifts of the Holy Spirit in the church today.
I read some perspectives from several people that I passionately disagree with.
Here’s what I have come to recognize:
Cessationists believe the gifts of the Spirit are not for today because they believe in the authority of Scripture.
Continualists believe the gifts of the Spirit are for today because they believe in the authority of Scripture.
Both sides of the debate are based on common ground… full faith and confidence in the authority of Scripture.
I have seen the same thing in debates concerning mega-churches and church strategies.
Mega church pastors are willing to push the envelope in order to see people come to Jesus.
Many of the critics of mega churches dismiss these things because they believe it waters down or diminishes the truth of the Gospel.
Both sides are motivated by the same thing: pointing people to Jesus!
I’m not digging deep into the merits of any of these positions (yet!), but I think this reminder is important.
The New Testament is full of examples of conflict in the early church (1 Corinthians 1:10-13, Galatians 2:11-14, Acts 15:39 just to name a few).
It is possible for two believers who are fully chasing after Jesus to come to different conclusions. In fact, it is more than possible…
It is normal.
We should not see people that disagree with us as heretics or sinners. We should see them as fellow laborers who are chasing Jesus as passionately as we do.
When we choose to see the best in people, to recognize the gift of God that rests in them, we can learn from those we disagree with.
When we choose to see the best in people, we will honor God’s servants instead of judging them.
When we choose to see the best in people, we can benefit from all of the voices God is introducing into our lives.
We don’t have to accept everything someone believes to honor them and learn from them. As an old minister used to say, “Eat the hay and spit out the sticks.”
Let’s ensure that in all things we follow the rule of love:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-6