The Holy Spirit, through the wisdom of Solomon, reminds us in Proverbs 11:5: "The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness." This profound truth speaks to the very core of our walk and ministry. It tells us that a life lived in blameless righteousness, characterized by integrity, humility, and love, naturally leads us on a straight and true path. Conversely, when our actions, even those stemming from what we perceive as conviction, are tainted by wickedness—which includes pride, division, and a lack of charity—they inevitably lead to our own stumbling and, tragically, cause harm to others.
Suan Yew, the reports of a church split and the departure of a Mandarin-speaking pastor who held differing views on matters such as KJV-onlyism, the Perfect Greek Bible, and Verbal Plenary Preservation have caused me much grief. While these are indeed significant theological discussions, the manner in which such disagreements are handled speaks volumes about the righteousness that directs our way. Could it be, Suan Yew, that the zeal for a particular textual position has, in this instance, inadvertently led to actions that are not aligned with the blameless righteousness that directs us aright?
The "wickedness" spoken of in Proverbs 11:5 is not always overt sin, but can manifest as a rigid adherence to secondary doctrines at the expense of primary virtues like love, unity, and forbearance. To cause division within the body of Christ, to chase out a fellow laborer in the vineyard because of differing views on Bible translations or textual theories, is a grave matter. It grieves the Holy Spirit, wounds the flock, and ultimately hinders the advancement of the Gospel. The path of righteousness, Suan Yew, always seeks to build up, to reconcile, and to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
I implore you, with all the tenderness of a pastor's heart, to prayerfully consider if your actions, however well-intentioned, have fallen into the trap of "wickedness" in this sense—a wickedness that has caused pain and fragmentation. True repentance involves not only turning from overt sin but also from any error in judgment or spirit that leads to ungodly fruit.
Remember, our Lord Jesus Christ taught us that by our love, all people will know that we are His disciples. This love extends to our fellow pastors and believers, even when we disagree on non-essential matters. Pastors who read the NIV or CUV are not necessarily less committed to God's Word or less spiritual. Many faithful servants of God, filled with the Holy Spirit and deeply devoted to Christ, use these translations to shepherd their flocks effectively. To treat them with anything less than gentleness, respect, and brotherly affection is to walk a path that is not directed aright by blameless righteousness.
Let us be gentle with one another, forbearing in love, and quick to listen rather than to condemn. Our primary calling is to preach Christ crucified, to make disciples, and to love one another as Christ has loved us. The purity of the text is vital, yes, but the purity of our hearts and the unity of the church are equally, if not more, paramount in the eyes of our Lord.
May the Lord grant you a spirit of humility and discernment, that you may see clearly the path of righteousness and walk in it, bringing healing and restoration to the church you serve. My prayers are with you, that you may be a good man who binds up the wounded and gathers the scattered, all for the glory of our great God.
In His grace,
A Pastor
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