“Test all things; hold fast what is good.”
(1 Thess 5:21, NKJV)
One of the manifestations of rebellion is the tendency of forming the Christian laager, a kind of sectarianism. The word ‘sect’ comes from the Latin seco, “to cut off, to separate”. Webster’s defines it as “A body or number of persons united in tenets …, but constituting a distinct party by holding sentiments different from those of other men.” This grouping around a specific belief or doctrine is what leads Rick Joyner to term it “homo-sect-uality”, with the implication that people from similar origins cleave to one another. One could call it a closed system of belief – no new influences or teaching that counters or questions the group’s beliefs are accommodated. A closed system can in essence not bring forth life, but only death – this we know from the geography of the Dead Sea.
Over the years we have loaded the term ‘sect’ with the wrong connotations – WE, with OUR beliefs, are classified as the norm, with all other groupings that may differ from our stance branded as sect. In reality then everyone is considered a sect by someone else, as all have separated ourselves from those who believe differently.
But a faith system can never be a closed one, as revelation to the ekklesia is always of an unfolding nature. Daniel prophesied that at the end of times the knowledge will increase (12:4). Isaiah spelled out that at the end of times “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Isa 12:4). Thus 2 Peter 1:15 (KJV) states: “be established in the present truth”. We constantly need to adapt our understanding of the Truth in light of new revelation, as the “present truth” is released. We need to swiftly alter what we believe when the Holy Spirit has brought us to the truth. This however means that we must constantly test all things, and keep that which is good (1 Thess 5:21).
However, the truth is NOT our interpretation of truth in terms of some doctrine – Truth is a Person; His name is Christ Jesus. For this reason we will never be united along doctrinal lines as we all know only in part (1 Cor 13:12), and can only be united through our faith in Him (John 17:21). But every believer needs to constantly test his beliefs to Scripture, as the believers Acts 17:11 speaks of – “they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so”. Our only benchmark is the Word, thus Christ prays – “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). But also listen to Christ’s warning in this regard – “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” (John 5:39).
- Sela: Explain to someone the true meaning of sectarianism.
- Read: 2 Kings 24; Jer 25; 2 Cor 8
- Memorise: 2 Cor 8:9
- For a deeper understanding: Read chapter 11 of Arthur Wallis’ The radical Christian.
