| Blind To The Truth By Bishop Randy Barnett |
I was just reading the responses and comments aroused by the news that the Episcopal Church has officially
sanctioned transgenders to enter the clergy. (July 2012) This news saddens me; however, I am pleased to see so many
believers who know the Word of God and are quick to quote it in defense of what is right and good. I am saddened by
some who find it necessary to condemn people of Christian faith for standing up for their beliefs, although this should
not surprise any of us since in Scripture we are told we will indeed face persecution for the sake of the Gospel.
It is good there are God-fearing folks who are bold in their faith and who speak out for truth. I see their frustration
over being unable to overcome the naysayers and un-christian critics with the Word of God. Try as they may, they
cannot break through to the ‘opposers of truth’ who seem oblivious to it. Indeed, they are blind to truth! It is a futile
effort to try to use the Word of God to convince unbelievers that the Bible is actually the words of God, especially in
light of their rejection of Him as God. Spiritual blindness prevents unbelievers from seeing what born again Christians
see in Scripture which makes their well-meaning efforts futile.
The apostle Paul wrote about this problem in his first letter to the Corinthian church. Let’s look at this verse together: I
Corinthians 2:14 "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him;
nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
From this verse we gain an insight into why unbelievers reject truth. It is impossible for them to receive it. Just as Paul
says, it is foolishness to them and makes no sense at all to accept what they see as “preposterous myths and
misgivings” of the Bible. The truth is this, apart from being born again by the Spirit of God a person cannot grasp the
things of the Spirit. Why? Because they are spiritual principles comprehended only through the help of the Holy Spirit.
He indwells the one who has accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and it is He who leads us into the truth.
My suggestion is to never spend time attempting to persuade an unbeliever of anything apart from the Gospel. Keep it
simple. Tell him God loves him and Jesus has given His life for him so he may be forgiven of his sin and have eternal
life. This leads him into the family of God through the new birth. Once this is done he possesses the mind of Christ and
is therefore able to see the truth and understand the Word of God and the things of the Spirit.
Allow me to take things a step further and admonish us all not to argue with one another about the Bible. Good things
seldom come from this which may be one of the reasons Paul commands us to refrain from it.
II Timothy 2:23 “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.”
I encourage all of us within the household of faith to walk in love with each other, which includes allowing our brother
or sister to disagree with us on peripheral doctrinal beliefs. We all agree on the core doctrines of our faith, the truths
that make us ‘Christian’ (who Jesus is, what He did for us, our need for a Savior, and our response to His love) We
must not allow division and strife to enter in over the non-essentials. (Romans 14) Let us accept of one another and
this will unify us under His banner of love. Remember this: the unity of our faith in Jesus Christ does not mandate
absolute conformity on all the minor issues, so be flexible on the lesser-important issues and enjoy the family of God.
sanctioned transgenders to enter the clergy. (July 2012) This news saddens me; however, I am pleased to see so many
believers who know the Word of God and are quick to quote it in defense of what is right and good. I am saddened by
some who find it necessary to condemn people of Christian faith for standing up for their beliefs, although this should
not surprise any of us since in Scripture we are told we will indeed face persecution for the sake of the Gospel.
It is good there are God-fearing folks who are bold in their faith and who speak out for truth. I see their frustration
over being unable to overcome the naysayers and un-christian critics with the Word of God. Try as they may, they
cannot break through to the ‘opposers of truth’ who seem oblivious to it. Indeed, they are blind to truth! It is a futile
effort to try to use the Word of God to convince unbelievers that the Bible is actually the words of God, especially in
light of their rejection of Him as God. Spiritual blindness prevents unbelievers from seeing what born again Christians
see in Scripture which makes their well-meaning efforts futile.
The apostle Paul wrote about this problem in his first letter to the Corinthian church. Let’s look at this verse together: I
Corinthians 2:14 "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him;
nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
From this verse we gain an insight into why unbelievers reject truth. It is impossible for them to receive it. Just as Paul
says, it is foolishness to them and makes no sense at all to accept what they see as “preposterous myths and
misgivings” of the Bible. The truth is this, apart from being born again by the Spirit of God a person cannot grasp the
things of the Spirit. Why? Because they are spiritual principles comprehended only through the help of the Holy Spirit.
He indwells the one who has accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and it is He who leads us into the truth.
My suggestion is to never spend time attempting to persuade an unbeliever of anything apart from the Gospel. Keep it
simple. Tell him God loves him and Jesus has given His life for him so he may be forgiven of his sin and have eternal
life. This leads him into the family of God through the new birth. Once this is done he possesses the mind of Christ and
is therefore able to see the truth and understand the Word of God and the things of the Spirit.
Allow me to take things a step further and admonish us all not to argue with one another about the Bible. Good things
seldom come from this which may be one of the reasons Paul commands us to refrain from it.
II Timothy 2:23 “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.”
I encourage all of us within the household of faith to walk in love with each other, which includes allowing our brother
or sister to disagree with us on peripheral doctrinal beliefs. We all agree on the core doctrines of our faith, the truths
that make us ‘Christian’ (who Jesus is, what He did for us, our need for a Savior, and our response to His love) We
must not allow division and strife to enter in over the non-essentials. (Romans 14) Let us accept of one another and
this will unify us under His banner of love. Remember this: the unity of our faith in Jesus Christ does not mandate
absolute conformity on all the minor issues, so be flexible on the lesser-important issues and enjoy the family of God.
