Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of that light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. And do not participate in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead even expose them. For it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. - Ephesians 5:6-13
Engage in any bible topic deeper than surface level concepts and you start to find out what everyone in the room actually believes on the topic, which is why I think most bible class teachers/preachers keep things as shallow and general as possible, to limit the risk of difficult engagement and keep a type of pseudo peace within a conversation.
But when we read and study scripture together, the objective is not so that everyone can come to their own conclusion that works with their worldview, but to let the word challenge the view and beliefs that we all hold and see if they line up with what God actually says in His word. So, in essence, our objective in reasoning the scriptures together is to come to the same mind, have the same goal and be an effective and changed group of believers.
There is no benefit in coming together and cowering behind empty statements of "God wants peace" or "That's not loving" (both of which have to be qualified by the standard of God's peace and love) in hopes that we avoid at all costs any kind of confrontation, rather, in love and with the objective of actual peace in a unified body, we need to drag our deepest beliefs out into the light and see if they stand the test of it, if they do, Praise God! But when they aren't, are we willing to accept loving correction or on the other side of that are we tempering our voice and attitude to be one that "Speaks the truth in love"?
I hope that we are a people that want to be children of light, because we can't be when we are hiding in the darkness.
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