A Diamond Turned To Rock

“Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” – II Corinthians 3:6

If you have been a believer for any length of time, you soon realize that Christians tend to set up camp in those areas where they have the most interest. I’m not sure whether this is a genetic or soulish bent that causes us to lean in one direction in favor of another. Having spent literally thousands upon thousands of hours discussing the Christian life with many different people from all walks of life, I have finally come to appreciate why some are drawn to major in one facet of the diamond while others chose another facet. The church is a massive diamond with many facets.

There is an inherent problem that keeps the diamond from reflecting the light of Christ. Unlike choosing a major in college where some want to go into marketing and others sales or management, choosing a major in the world of Christianity is often met with harsh opposition. People tend to read differences as compromise at best or heresy at worst. By differences I don’t mean doctrinal or moral mishandling of Scripture. I mean that some find intimacy with Christ in different ways. Those who find God as a loving Father they can trust and go to, often have a very strong but simple faith which may be looked down on by those who find Almighty God in theology. The simple lover of God will accuse the scholar as knowing about God but not really knowing God. The scholar will look down at those with simple faith as not knowing who they have their faith in because doctrine describes Him.

As valid as both sides see their argument, we know from church history that God has used the scholar and the mystic. Spurgeon and Moody, Whitfield and Wesley, Edwards and Muller all represent facets of the same diamond. How often do we hear pastors or theologians make reference to past heroes of the faith by adding a few disclaimers. Luther was great but he was off on his ………, or Calvin had an amazing mind but clearly was mistaken about ….…. I think we need never compromise over theology in the process of co-laboring with believers, but I also think we need to take a hard look at how God uses people that emphasize one facet over another.

I have had the distinct privilege of working with people who could no more define justification or sanctification than they could explain Einstein’s theory of relativity, but they have touched many lives by the power of Christ living through them. I have had equal joy in rubbing shoulders with those of a more theological bent who bless many that have deep questions about God. One is not better than the other. These are complimentary facets, which reflect the glory of Christ; but when pride says my facet displays Christ more brightly than yours, the diamond turns into a rock. That’s the way I see things.