Real Hope: Relationship With GodSample

Opinions And Disagreements

What to do when we disagree with God? Somewhere along the way, we confused disagreement with division. When we disagree, our views don’t have to diverge, yet they often do.

This didn’t use to be the case. In biblical times Jewish scholars would sit and argue the scriptures with each other. These arguments were known as ‘L’shem shamayim’ – arguments for the sake of heaven. These disagreements led to a greater understanding of God and His laws and were considered a good thing.

In his book A Doubter’s Guide to Jesus, John Dixon writes, ‘Jesus is destined to stretch our imaginations, confront our beliefs, and challenge our lifestyles for many years to come.’ The problem is not the disagreement itself but how we respond to it. This stretching, confronting, and challenging can prompt curiosity that leads to a deeper, more profound understanding of the heart of God and a richness of faith yet undiscovered – just like the debates of old.

Sometimes we don’t understand because we don’t see the full picture – ‘For now, we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known’ (1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV). It’s important to prepare our hearts for the possibility that in this life, we might never truly understand that ‘God’s ways are not our ways.’ It’s so important to trust in His goodness, and to do this, we must first know He is good. We might not get the answers we’re looking for in this life, but we know that one day we will, and what a glorious day that will be.

Written by LUCY WEIL