Whatever is true think about such things

There is a very subtle but monstrous lie, spread in certain Christian circles, that getting alongside those who don’t think like you, and who are different from you, will inevitably lead to you betraying God, as you concede too much ground to worldly considerations, distorted world-views, and so on. But, if you believe this wholeheartedly (as many Christians do), then you will more often than not, end-up judging the other person and so block the possibility of learning from them – which is no good for them, for you, for your relationship, and for the extension of God’s Kingdom. I have repeatedly found on my Christian journey that God precisely wants you, in these encounters with difference, to get alongside, as this is what love is. It always strengthens and always perseveres with the other for your mutual glory and blessing (also see Corinthians 13:4-7). Certainly, a ‘but’ might suggest itself, given that God does not want you to compromise your love and journey with him for anybody or anything; but unravelling that ‘but’ is not for you to decipher as a once-and-for-all ready-made ‘truth’ which your proclaim from ‘on high’ to the other. Instead, it is for God in his perfect love to lead you both into his Kingdom, with all its strange turns and its wonderful colours, and as he uses all forms of beauty and magnificence in Christ to lighten your way. Or, as Paul said to the Philippians 4:8: ‘Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.’ 

Click on book cover image on this blog's home page for information on my book Nine Steps to Well-Being: A Spiritual Guide for Disconnected Christians and Other Questioning Journeyers - first three chapters are FREE!!