Walk by Faith, Not by Sight (Updated from 6/14/2015)

 

Contradictions and Holy Scripture. The two seem inseparable to those of us willing to take a leap of faith.  After all, our faith is what it is all about... right?  

I find it interesting that "Corinthians" was included in scripture, which would be used as a guiding text by any leaders of the Christian Church. Have you ever asked yourself, why there are ministers and priests in charge of running your chosen church? Why is there a church at all? Have you ever asked yourself, why there is a bible, for that matter? God decided not to write anything more down, as man reinterpreted what God meant. And, if Jesus thought a "church" was a good idea, why didn't he construct one? Simon Peter took what Jesus said to him, and reinterpreted it.

Don't look to the bible for answers to these questions, as you may not like what you don't find.  If you get the chance, try perusing 1 & 2 Corinthians. It makes for an interesting read.

He who made us worthy to be Ministers of The New Covenant, not in The Scripture, but in The Spirit, for The Scripture kills, but The Spirit gives life.

-- 2 Corinthians 3:6

We are instructed to "walk by faith, not by sight" because, "The Scripture kills, but The Spirit gives life."  Yet, time and again, we find ourselves confronted by those faithful who wield the written bible as a shield, or a sword, or both. It depends on their need, at the moment.  Have they not read the book?  And what of these ministers and priests who seem to lead by judging our every waking moment?  Who appointed them the "cock of the walk"?  Ephesians 4:11-13 says, "All Christians are ministers in the body of Christ."  

Ray C. Stedman says this about ministers and priests we have been told to revere and respect, down through the ages:  

"When I use the term "minister of Christ," I am not speaking of the traditional concept of a full-time employee of a church who is kept around to do the preaching, the teaching, the counseling and to run the mimeograph machine. Unfortunately, that is a widespread concept of what the pastor ought to be and I run into it in many places. This concept, of course, is totally unknown in the New Testament. The idea of having a single pastor, the pastor, is an unbiblical imposition that has come into the church within the past 250 years. A minister of Christ in the New Testament churches was anyone, anyone, who by virtue of a gift of the Spirit was a preacher or a teacher of the Word of God."

-- Ray C. Stedman

Hallelujah! Someone gets it!  "A minister of Christ in the New Testament churches was anyone, anyone, who by virtue of a gift of the Spirit was a preacher or a teacher of the Word of God."   But, were they discussing the written Word, or the spoken Word?  I wonder.

We have seen the evidence put before us, especially in these current days of written mail, email, and texting, of how the written word can cause more problems than it solves due to misinterpretation.  Heck, most of the time a message isn't even transcribed word for word, so how in the world is one to make any accurate interpretation of it?  For heaven's sake, we're only human.  And, according to the bible, so are these so-called "religious" leaders, appointed by other "religious" leaders... of churches that were never intended.  All are human, and none are beyond reproach.  

So, we must rely on face-to-face oral communication which allows for a much greater accuracy and understanding of the spirit of the message trying to be conveyed.  In this way, perhaps we can understand the phrase from 2 Corinthians 3:6, "Scripture kills, but the Spirit gives life." 

"Do not go beyond what is written."  Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.  For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?  And if you did receive it, why do you boast, as though you did not?

-- 1 Corinthians 4:6-7

Did you catch any comments about churches that were intended?  Find in the bible where it says to build a church.  A "church" is really defined as a congregation of people, not an edifice.  Remember, that Peter was to be the rock on which this congregation (e.g., church) was to be built.  We seem to have gone "beyond what was written" and arrived at a misinterpretation due to a faulty translation.  

When it came to prayer, what we were instructed to do was something totally opposite:

"When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men.  Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.  "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.  "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words..."

-- Matthew 6:5-7

Walk by faith, not by sight.  

Don't stand and quote chapter and verse, as any fool can read the written word.  Do not hold the Holy Scripture in front of you... like a shield or a sword.  The only shield and sword at your disposal is your faith, and that faith is your armor against all evil in the world, not against your fellow man.  If they are not evil, "who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand."  

If you use the bible as anything other than a reference document, you run the risk of violating God's rule, set forth in Exodus 20:3-5, to wit:

"You shall have no other gods before Me.  You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.  You shall not worship them or serve them..."

Isn't your faith supposed to be enough?  It isn't a race.  It isn't an argument.  It isn't some game to be won.  And, it isn't for you to pass judgment, for this is the task of each person's Master.  When confronted by an individual wielding their holy book, remember that the words used against you, to judge you, are simply words.  

Your faith will carry you forward as you smile, bless them for being one of God's "special" children, and walk, by faith, along your own path; continuing the journey God placed you on.  These "other people" have no power over you, and are not for you to judge.

I have quoted the "written word" much in this post. I have been known to do this in other posts, as well.  I do this for a reason.  It is a great reference document for Abrahamic religions!  There is no reference document for a person's faith.  Faith is something God must help you find.  Man is simply a tool. Unfortunately, many of them are confusing, and not many of them are sharp.

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch - it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either view any more right or wrong than the other. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint.

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning those opinions offered. After twenty-three years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is a way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience... and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier and world-renowned Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

Ordained in 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As a weapon for his war on intolerance, he chose the pen. He wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony at: tolerantpastor@gmail.com