Several years ago I was enrolled at a seminary to do some post-grad work. I was given an opportunity to pastor a small church of which I had no idea of their customs. At the beginning of each service, we quoted the Bible verse you will see below.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14
The other customs they had were so different from anything I had experienced and, they were steeped in those customs as it was the doctrine of their main church group. There was no changing any of that. I was with them for just under a year. Lovely people but, it was a difficult 10 months for me. I learned a lot during that time. I also learned that Biblical doctrine is important.
So, what comes out of your mouth when you meet up with someone who doesn’t believe the same as you? Hopefully, we pray about how we translate what we think into what we say. What we say can often close the door of opportunity to share the love of Christ with someone among other things.
Oh, to be different may well take us into many situations where we care not be. It is so easy to vocalize our thinking without spending time in thought about how we will affect others. Sure, the truth is important but, it is also important to speak the truth in ways that it is understood and accepted. Granted, there are times when it’s just a matter of timing to speak what you believe is the truth as you see it.
What is the truth? Being rooted and grounded in the Word of God will help all of us walk in the truth. Keep searching.
This article was written by Dr Michael Layne who serves as an Archbishop in the Lutheran Orthodox Church and is pastor of FaithPoints Lutheran Church in Greensburg, IN.