I think it's sad that we would rather stick to our opinions than to the Word of God in many cases. All of our arguments come from this. But Paul did prophesy that this would take place:
No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. (1 Cor 11:19)
If you read the context, you will see that Paul was not happy about this either, but he recognized it as something that must take place because of our sinfulness, and the wicked desires of some who would teach false doctrines.
What is the most sad to me is how we often seem to lose Christ in the process. That is why it is important to remember that we cannot make anyone believe anything. We must simply speak the Word of Truth in love and allow God to be in control. If others want to argue, eventually we must let them believe as they will, though we should never give them our ascent. The largest danger is that false doctrine, if not contradicted by the Truth, will be like leven, infesting the entire lump of dough. What Christ has made pure will then be given over to sin, and eventually, like the seeds in the parable of the sower, be choked of their faith.
I think that is why many here are so ready to stand for there point. They just are zealous for the souls of others. Sadly, sometimes we are zealous without wisdom (Prov 19:2), and because we do not want to accept parts of the Word which expose our own sin, we find ourselves in discord. As James 4:1, 4, 6-7 says: <SUP>1</SUP>What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? <SUP>4</SUP>You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. <SUP>6</SUP>But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."
<SUP>7</SUP>Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
So yes, I'd love to have a thread which is full of sound doctrine and loving speech. Heaven's gonna be a blast for just that reason. The Truth will be known and all will know it and we will praise God in Christ for it!
As for now, what would you like to talk about?
Peace to all who seek it