For the Sake of His Body

John 13:35
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

I've been rather sure of myself lately in what I believe. I'm becoming more and more convinced of truths that deal directly with what I read, listen to, and see in art. I've abandoned standards of tradition for a scriptural philosophy that can address every unique situation (I've found that most standards and generalizations fall flat on their faces when thrown a curve ball). But there is one conflict with developing a biblical philosophy toward life: not everyone will agree with you on your philosophy.

"But there it is, plain as day!" I've said to the doubtful I've tried to convert. "Do you see how it all fits together?"

I've known that there would have to be some solution to getting everyone to recognize the truth I'd realized. How come there couldn't be unity over this? Christ prayed in John for the unity of the church. How do I help achieve that goal? How do I glorify God in my approach toward music, literature, and art?

My first mistake was forgetting to work love into my philosophy. I assumed that the problem was with others and not myself. Love doesn't seek its own. God wrote this for me:

1 Corinthians 8

1Now concerning[1] food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up. 2If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.[2]
4Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one." 5For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"-- 6yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
7However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating[3] in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged,[4] if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12Thus, sinning against your brothers[5] and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

I'm not supposed to indoctrinate the church with my philosophy (I'm sure you've noticed by now that I'm deliberately leaving my views vague). I'm supposed to know what I believe regarding music, literature, art, etc. I'm to be as liberal with others in their "standards" as long as it isn't worldly (fulfilling the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life). I'm to be as sensative as possible to the weaker brother and not offend him. If he wants to talk then we'll talk. That's love. Selfishness is trying to get everyone to think like me, even if that means searing their consciences. That's not seeking the kingdom.

This means a whole lot for me now. When I go home this Christmas I'm going to take my KJV to church. I'm going to listen to 90.5 Quebec Classics in the car. I'm going to read Hamlet, and what's left of the Brit Lit anthology. I know that Christian liberty lends me far more slack, but because I love my family and church and because the world knows that we're God's Children by that love I can forgo a few things for a time.