Kate said disagree.
Did you just hear the air release? From the can of worms? Yup, Kate has been feisty lately with some of these word prompts! But I certainly don’t disagree with the level of challenge she’s been presenting us each and every Thursday night. You see she gives the prompt about 9:45 p.m. Thursday night during a FMF Twitter party – many of the participants write immediately, some let it simmer overnight and hit the keyboard on Friday morning. Me? I’m a wake up Friday morning writer, opening my email and seeing the essay challenge for the first time. You can agree or disagree with my method, but it is one that works for me.
In A World of Disagreement
Whew! Have you ever? The name-calling, the mud-slinging vitriol. And, I am not innocent. I confess sin at least 55 times each day. We disagree on politics, on the way we write, on the way we work, the way we eat, run, walk, etc. etc. etc. I feel like the king in the wonderful musical The King and I – etcetera – etcetera – etcetera!
As Faith People
There are non-negotiables. The Bible is clear. It is black and white and red — NO gray areas. The following is a list of those, from here:
- The deity of Jesus Christ. (Jesus is God.)
- The virgin birth. (That Jesus was miraculously born of a virgin woman.)
- The complete atonement. (That the death and shed blood of the Lord Jesus paid for all sins, for all humanity, for all time – there is no more sacrifice necessary. The key now is for an individual to accept His sacrifice by faith and apply it to their sin debt.)
- The bodily resurrection. (Jesus literally was resurrected from the dead in bodily form – He wasn’t a ghost.)
- The inerrancy of Scripture. (The entire Bible was written by God and is without error.)
- The authority of Scripture. (That no other writing, teaching or decree of man or angel can be added to or on equal authority as the Bible.)
- The deity and personhood of the Holy Spirit. (He is a distinct personality and equally God – not just a “force.”)
- The return of Jesus. (It will be both physical and visible. By all biblical indicators, it will be soon.)
And, I will add a few:
- I believe in a young earth, approximately 7,000 years old and everything that is made was made in 7 days.
- I believe in the sanctity of LIFE. No gray areas.
- I believe marriage is a tie between one man and one woman. Period.
- I believe it is never right to do wrong.
- I believe in the Trinity of God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. The Great Three-In-One.
Agree / Disagree
I am strong in my convictions – I stand on them and defend them fully. Disagree? Then, we disagree.
I have the courage of these convictions.
Do you know what you believe and why?
Life: A Non-negotiable.
Feisty, that’s you and for the cause of the Lord? Wonderful.
Truth-agent. Woman with sword! Fierce!!!
It’s definitely important to think about what we believe and why. I focused more on some of the disagreements we have as Christians over things that are less clear-cut, but I agree with your list, except possibly one. (I’m not sure about the young earth thing. I’ve not been convinced either way and I think the main thing is to believe that God created everything – I’m not so bothered about the detail, though I understand that some people like to look into that more.)
Lesley, I’d like to sit down and hear your thoughts.
One of the great things about being a follower of Jesus is that if we agree with God, then it is likely we will at least agree on the most important issues and important decisions. I might like chocolate Culver’s custard, and others might like vanilla. That is just a preference. But when it comes to truth, there is only one choice. Great post!
One. I’d like to try that custard!
Don’t see eye-to-eye with me?
That’s OK, friend, don’t you worry,
but with the Christ you disagree?
Well, that’s a whole ‘nuther story,
’cause it’s He who saved your soul
when He got nailed to the Cross
for the (to Him) important goal
of blocking your eternal loss.
If you frown and lift your nose,
“Jesus, I just think You’re wrong!”,
then, cochise, I might suppose
that you’ll sing a real short song
’cause of the fate you are inviting,
quick char-broil, hit by lightning.
I never disagree with Papa!
So very important to know what we believe. I think it is one of the reasons I came to love the song Creed by Rich Mullins. I play it often and loud so that what I hear with my ears takes continual root in my heart.
YES!
Susan, I agree with all the points you’ve listed today. We MIGHT disagree on which version of the Bible is best, but that’s a subject for another time. Keep giving us TRUTH!
Thanks Glenda!!!!!!
Fundamental truths ground us all as believers. The other stuff is fluff. Well said. 😉
I love that you brought in the King and I – and that quote! Just the right kind of tongue-in-cheek needed in today’s communication culture! You are right – there are some things that we cannot go any shade of gray on! I believe we are on the same page as your list! No disagreements here!
Did you love that musical?
The New Testament is filled with accounts of the believers trying to figure out what they must agree on and what they could disagree on. For me, that’s encouraging when believers don’t totally align on their views today.
Amie, FMF #16
But, there are those non-negotiables!
Keep standing for the truth, friend! Hugs to you.
Forever and Always.
Agree with all your points a million zillion percent! And it IS so important to know what we believe as well as the “why”. AMEN, Susan! Keep on keeping on.
Dogmatic….we are!
AGREE!!
😉