The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe
"Truth and Humility"
A young man approached his pastor with a question regarding a Biblical matter. He indicated that he felt like his pastor's perspective did not align with Scripture in several different ways. His attitude was respectful, his tone gentle, and he did not make the matter one of discord with others. However, he and his pastor clearly did not see eye to eye.
The pastor reacted with arrogance. "How dare you question my judgment! I have been studying the Bible and preaching for more than a half century. Why do you think you would know more and better than me regarding God's Word?"
I do not recall the issue raised by the young man, nor who in the matter may have been in line with the Scriptures. I do know, however, the raised and proud attitude of the pastor in question. I also know that even if he may have been correct in His perspective, he was wrong in his attitude and response.
"The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit" (Ecclesiastes 7:8).
The pastor missed a blessed opportunity. He could have humbly helped the young man find his way along the path of Biblical light. He might even have been helped and corrected in his own judgment. Instead, he allowed pride to darken both his way and that of the young man. "Knowledge puffeth up" warned the Apostle Paul, who better than others realized his need for the Lord's ongoing teaching and correction. Paul required a "thorn in the flesh" as God's challenging means of humbling "because of the abundance of the revelations" he received (I Corinthians 8:1; II Corinthians 12:7). Genuine knowledge imparts the realization that regarding God and His truth, the more we know, the less we realize we know. Even in times when our perspective is correct, we can be so wrong in our attitude and demeanor that the truth can become dangerous in our misguided hands. Indeed, what if the pastor had responded, "Well, let's look at that issue in the light of Scripture. You share your perspective. I'll share mine. And we will see if we both can grow in our understanding." Even if a difference of perspective remained, the pastoral servant leader would have greatly illuminated the young man's mind regarding the character and nature of the Lord Jesus Christ. "Let this mind be in your which was also in Christ Jesus… who humbled Himself (Philippians 2:5; 8).
No experts exist in the body of Christ regarding any matter of God and His truth. An eternal Lord, by definition, makes this true. "His understanding is infinite" (Psalm 147:5). Certainly, some know more than others, and some are called to spend a lifetime devoted to exploring God and His Word for the benefit of others. Such a calling requires both much light and much humility to be imparted by the Holy Spirit to those who must communicate God's truth not only in content, but by example of attitude and demeanor. "How dare you?" The pastor missed an opportunity for the truth and humility whereby he could have joined a sincere brother in Christ in seeking God's grace as directed by the Psalmist…
"O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together!"
(Psalm 34:3)
"God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."
(I Peter 5:5)
Weekly Memory Verse
The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
(Ecclesiastes 7:8).
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