Differences and Misunderstandings

Harold William Murphy

Misunderstanding and differences are to be expected. And, to those of us who claim Christ as the King of kings are no different. Differences and misunderstandings are two completely different problems and as followers of Christ we must be able to address both of them in an edifying way.

Differnces are opposing opinions, or ways of seeing or doing something. In the body of Christ, there seems to be more differences than simularities. Hence, church denominations. Baptist, Pentecostal and so forth. This has become a thorn in the side of the body. Stopping the body of Christ from the solidarity and influence that we must have to preach the Word of God to it’s fullest power, bringing the lost to the knowledge of the One True God. When people see that “Christians” can’t agree on what God’s word says and how to live it out, we end up sending the lost to what ever gospel that suits their fancy and not the true gospel of Jesus Christ. We are warned of this in God’s word:

Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Differences in a marriage are what God uses to grow us in our relationship with him, and our spouse. Yet, we can still be of one mind and one flesh In those differences. Serving God together, using that same difference to reach even more of the lost. I am an evangelist telling those of God and his love and that hell is a real place and separation from God has real consequences. My wife is fire and brimstone, telling them of how they will burn if they don’t repent and turn to God.

Jude 21-23
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

So, in this difference in the body of Christ, it can separate us or be used by use to further God’s Kingdom.

Misunderstandings
To me this is simple, to understand something or someone, is to have a solid and deep grasp of the issue, to completely comprehend it without confusion. To misunderstand, is to not completely grasp it. Or, to have a different interpretation of the situation. It happens to us all. And, it can lead to a disagreement or even worse. We, as followers of Christ know how to resolve this as well.

Matthew 5:24
Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift

Matthew 18:15
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother

Ephesians 4:31-32
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Galatians 5:13
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

We are called to liberty. This does not give us freedom to do or say what we want. Our liberty is a responsibility to do what God has called us to do, which is to work together as one body, each with his own station and calling to bring the gospel of Christ to the world. We can’t do this if we are in disagreement, or full of misunderstandings within the body.

My hand does not disagree with my mind when I say pick up that cup. It just does it. My mouth doesn’t misundersand what to do when the cup touches my lips. It all works together, so that I may drink from the cup. As the whole body of Christ must do, to bring God’s word to the world. Don’t be tempted to let a disagreement or misunderstanding stand. It will become a stronghold that will cause the body to stumble and our cup to spill.