Great Post....even better question!
Several passages in the NT make it clear we are all guided by the same Holy Spirit as Christians. I expect differences from time to time, as this is a debate board. One of the positive things is that we grow and learn from others viewpoints. We cannot all be right. That is a process of spiritual maturity.
One of the top reasons for being a Christian in day to day life, aside from our growth here on earth and eternal life after earth is to tell others about the Gospel. What puzzles me more than anything is why are the most hardened positions and the greatest divides on issues that do not make one bit of difference in salvation.
All who have been here a while know the issues. KJVO, hatred of KJV (both are equally wrong), Calvinism vs free will (or the few that believe in a mix we do not understand), some end time issues, covenant vs dispy theology, and to a lesser degree, eternal security. As of late, the character of Calvin has been debated in several threads, one subject I am adamant about.
So why with the same Holy Spirit, why are we so far apart and hardened the less important the issue? Any explanations are appreciated. The purpose of this thread is not to debate Calvin, KJVO, etc. There are plenty of threads to do that.
I agree....we have all been infilled with the SAME Holy Ghost, yet there are folks going after each other as if their opinions hold the essense of all heavens truths.
Galatians 5:16-26 is a clear directive that shows the difference between those not under or filled with the Spirit, versus those who are. I makes you wonder on which side of the fence some hear on the board are realy standing on. Even more interesting is that it seems that there are even a few folks who are stradling this fence.
Paul tells us,
"I say this to you: Let the Holy Spirit lead you in each step. Then you will not please your sinful old selves. The things our old selves want to do are against what the Holy Spirit wants. The Holy Spirit does not agree with what our sinful old selves want. These two are against each other. So you cannot do what you want to do. If you let the Holy Spirit lead you, the Law no longer has power over you. The things your sinful old self wants to do are: sex sins, sinful desires, wild living, worshiping false gods, witchcraft, hating, fighting, being jealous, being angry, arguing, dividing into little groups and thinking the other groups are wrong, false teaching, wanting something someone else has, killing other people, using strong drink, wild parties, and all things like these. I told you before and I am telling you again that those who do these things will have no place in the holy nation of God.
But the fruit that comes from having the Holy Spirit in our lives is: love, joy, peace, not giving up, being kind, being good, having faith, being gentle, and being the boss over our own desires. The Law is not against these things. Those of us who belong to Christ have nailed our sinful old selves on His cross. Our sinful desires are now dead.
If the Holy Spirit is living in us, let us be led by Him in all things. Let us not become proud in ways in which we should not. We must not make hard feelings among ourselves as Christians or make anyone jealous."
We cannot debate in a manner that is filled with angry suppositions, caustic put downs, insults, cussing and words insinuating that YOUR way is the only way. In other words, when debating with another believer, it is not your responsibility to convert them to your way of thinking; because who says you have cornered the wisdom of God? However, to make you point(s) and leave it at that. To do anything more is wrong, if I am reading Paul correctly, because debating can turn into in-fighting, division, and eventually ignoring or going after the other person with the zeal and fury of a man or woman possessed, and that surely isn't what God would want to go on down here.
We need to move out of the camps of which man's theology is the best. As for me, there are things I loved about Calvin, especially the "Once saved, always saved" teaching. There are also some things that I love when it comes to the AOG, Luther, Billy Graham, etc. I think it does a man or woman well to be well rounded in their thinking when it comes to theology. Nothing good can be said for those who are in lockstep with one particular ideology or camp. Doing this leaves a person as coming across closed minded with the ability to rummage about in the land of narrow thinkers.
The true believer [with the presence of the Holy Ghost within them] will not set out to cause division of separation in the body.
As for the people on this board, who have verying opinions, that is okay. In fact, we are made to agree to disagee. Not osterize another for being different.
Remember, the body is made up of many different functional parts. We can't all be an eye, ear, tongue, nose, foot, arm, hand, organ, the skin, one of many different bones. God made us all unique in many ways, and expects us to come together and learn to work together. Personally, it appears to me that some are more upset over the body part God made them and they are trying to be something more than what He called you to be.
For instance. I see fingernails, scraping, clawing and sratching their way to places on the body that a fingernail does not belong. Why can't we all just be happy with where we were palced, and then work to make this body work as God called it to work.
Fighting, and put down type of discourse is not an example of the Holy Spirit He gave us when He left.
Come on people, get a grip; and move into the place in the body where God has sent you to be, and work with each other to make this body function and glorify Him...
NOT YOURSELF..:type:
