The Fight for Orthodoxy—The Role of Behavior
March 26, 2007
Dear Friends,
Orthodoxy, or the definition of what is true and right, has been a continual fight throughout time. As we suggested, it has been anything but a straight line and brought about in ironically unorthodox ways.
God’s role in and view of controversy and schism can be daunting to understand. On the one hand, we are commanded to refrain from schisms in the One Body, but on the other we are told that God will bring them upon us. Here are some verses which are against schism and controversy.
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1 Cor. 1:10)
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (1 Cor. 3:3)
Here are a few verses that tell us God and Christ will have a hand in bringing them upon us. Notice the apparent contradictory nature of these statements to what we have just read.
Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. (Luke 12:51–53)
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thess. 2:11–12)
Finally, here is a verse which seems to incorporate both views. Paul is rebuking them for their divisiveness, but also says that heresies (the word means divisions or schism) “must†be there to determine who is “approved.â€
For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. (1 Cor. 11:18–19)
The subtle teaching is that while division and discord are not good things, they can bring about good results in God’s people. The same principle is at work in persecution of God’s people. It is evil on the one hand, but brings about good to those who are exercised by it. Let me paraphrase these above statements so that the sum of them may be understood. God is telling us that controversies and divisions will come. In fact, God Himself and Christ will aid this process. The purpose is to make known “approved†or those in whom God is well pleased. Please understand, this is not so God will know who is approved because He already knows. It is so that we will know who is approved. Jesus had already told us this. “Ye shall know them by their fruits.†(Mt 7:16) The ecclesial shepherds, wolves, sheep and hirelings are all highlighted in this process so that, in God’s plan of salvation, this too works for good.
This brings up a very, very important point. Some controversies involve us picking the right doctrine. Most do not. Some controversies are for very serious and very consequential issues. One example of a serious doctrinal issue that is brought out in the New Testament is that Jesus came in the flesh. This was a first principle issue and a dividing line between light and darkness. However, most controversies have nothing to do with saving truth but with saving BEHAVIOR. Those who fight the battle for orthodoxy utilizing the works of the flesh cannot ever be on the side of God even if they have “truth†on their side doctrinally. Could the Pharisees who rightfully believed in resurrection ever be said to be correct in God’s eyes because they picked the right doctrine as opposed to the Sadducees who did not believe in resurrection? Were they not all in the same boat in the eyes of God because of their behavior and attitudes? There is only one way to earnestly contend for the faith and that is exclusively through the fruit of the Spirit. Here is a vital measure how we can tell right from wrong and the “approved†in the fight for determining what is orthodox: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control.
God brings these controversies upon us (which we gleefully advance) to allow those who will stand up for right behavior to shine like the sun and to shake the barnacles from our sluggish bows. When we see all of these controversies as a multiple choice test of picking right doctrine in cases of non-first principle issues, we are completely missing the point of the test as well as the opportunity before us to excel in God’s service.
Let me close this week with the powerful words of Paul:
Examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?. But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. (2 Cor. 13:5–8 NASB)
Have a great week,
