Monday, January 08, 2007
'Avoid Foolish Questions' (Titus 3:9)
I came across this reat devotional from CH Spurgeon from "Morning and Evening".
It speaks to the necessity of keeping the man thing the main thing.
Sometimes being "right" on a minor matter is not as important as keeping our focus on the main game. The current division caused by mistrust by a small minority of decisions made over many years by their International Mission Board's Trustees is case in point (if there is a "right" in the debate).
CHS says:
OUR days are few, and are far better spent in doing good, than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance.
The old schoolmen did a world of mischief by their incessant discussion of subjects of no practical importance; and our churches suffer much from petty wars over abstruse points and unimportant questions. After everything has been said that can be said, neither party is any the wiser, and therefore the discussion no more promotes knowledge than love, and it is foolish to sow
in so barren a field. Questions upon points wherein Scripture is silent; upon mysteries which belong to God alone; upon prophecies of doubtful interpretation; and upon mere modes of observing human ceremonials are all foolish and wise men avoid them. Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether; and if we observe the apostle's
precept (Titus 3.8) to be careful to maintain good works, we shall find ourselves far too much occupied with profitable business to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings.
There are, however, some questions which are the reverse of foolish, which we
must not avoid, but fairly and honestly meet, such as these:
• Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?
• Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind?
• Am I walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit?
• Am I growing in grace?
• Does my conversation adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour?
• Am I looking for the coming of the Lord, and watching as a servant should do who expects his master?
• What more can I do for Jesus?
Such enquiries as these urgently demand our attention; and if we have been at
all given to cavilling, let us now turn our critical abilities to a service so much more profitable. Let us be peace-makers, and endeavour to lead others both by our preceptand example, to 'avoid foolish questions'.
It speaks to the necessity of keeping the man thing the main thing.
Sometimes being "right" on a minor matter is not as important as keeping our focus on the main game. The current division caused by mistrust by a small minority of decisions made over many years by their International Mission Board's Trustees is case in point (if there is a "right" in the debate).
CHS says:
OUR days are few, and are far better spent in doing good, than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance.
The old schoolmen did a world of mischief by their incessant discussion of subjects of no practical importance; and our churches suffer much from petty wars over abstruse points and unimportant questions. After everything has been said that can be said, neither party is any the wiser, and therefore the discussion no more promotes knowledge than love, and it is foolish to sow
in so barren a field. Questions upon points wherein Scripture is silent; upon mysteries which belong to God alone; upon prophecies of doubtful interpretation; and upon mere modes of observing human ceremonials are all foolish and wise men avoid them. Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether; and if we observe the apostle's
precept (Titus 3.8) to be careful to maintain good works, we shall find ourselves far too much occupied with profitable business to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings.
There are, however, some questions which are the reverse of foolish, which we
must not avoid, but fairly and honestly meet, such as these:
• Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?
• Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind?
• Am I walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit?
• Am I growing in grace?
• Does my conversation adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour?
• Am I looking for the coming of the Lord, and watching as a servant should do who expects his master?
• What more can I do for Jesus?
Such enquiries as these urgently demand our attention; and if we have been at
all given to cavilling, let us now turn our critical abilities to a service so much more profitable. Let us be peace-makers, and endeavour to lead others both by our preceptand example, to 'avoid foolish questions'.
# posted by Groseys messages @ 7:38 AM 
