Resting Differences

"All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained." Philippians 3:15-16 TNIV

I love these two verses. The Spirit is letting us know that God interacts with us and teaches us truth. We know that is Scripture, but what is so sweet here is Paul's spirit-attitude toward those who might differ with him.

He did not say they should shape up and get in line for after all he is an apostle. No. Quite the contrary, he just leaves them to the Lord in full confidence that since they belong to Him, the Lord will show them what is truth. That is an absolutely marvelous Spirit attitude of heart. He does not step into arguing, or trying to prove anything. He just lets the truth stand and does not dispute with others in it or about it.

His confidence (trust, faith) is not in his reasoning ability, nor his own "rightness." He just lets his words stay in full confidence that the Lord will under gird them in truth. He is, even as he teachings his people, interacting with the Holy Spirit. He has not gotten his own person in the way of the truth he has spoken. No defense - just truth and then he trust his Lord to inform all the mature ones to accept these words.

Trust, faith, confidence - all synonyms used for resting in the Lord - faith. He just trusts the Lord to bring His people around to accepting the truth and in that he rests any differences that might arise.

The call is to rest as we work. Rest all in Him and learn not to defend our position or our point of view. How different that is to our normal flesh thought process. However, it is the call in these verses. The Lord in us will rest us here. We will flow in Him in grace and love toward all. Then we can begin to discover the unity we have in the Holy Spirit as those born from above into the family of love and honor.

Verse 16 - tomorrow.