Biblical Balance Ends With Attitudes

So much controversy, so much conflict! To answer the division present in the Lord’s church today, many are calling for Biblical balance. I am sure some who are asking for balance really mean, “There should be less preaching that expects me to change and more preaching that makes me feel good.” Others mean, “Let’s change the truth slightly so that it’s easier to digest.” Likely, neither of these positions apply to you. Godly men and women are also calling for Biblical balance, but what does it mean? Simply put, it is the narrow way (Matthew 7:14). It means that we will not add to or take away from what scripture has said. We will bind only what God has bound and loose only where God has loosened by command, implication, or authorized example (Matthew 16:19, Colossians 2:16). How will we know if someone truly wants balance? Certainly it begins with God’s word (Matthew 15:7-9) but it ends with attitudes.

Attitude Toward Study — Luke 8:18 reminds us that we have to be careful how we hear. A common misconception about Biblical balance is that it is about finding the truth that is in the middle of two positions. But if our standard becomes the middle of two positions our standard slides away from God’s view over time. Was the truth somewhere in the middle when the Pharisees were arguing with Jesus? Biblical balance is about considering all that the Bible has to say about the subject instead of putting on blinders to the passages that disagree with my position.

Attitude Toward Reflection and Application — Reflection and application are about loving and doing all of God’s law, not just the parts that agree with my thinking (Psalm 40:8). It’s not one scripture against another, but one scripture in light of others. Reflection and application are about loving and doing only God’s law, and rejecting the counterfeit. (Galatians 1:8-9).

Attitude Toward Repentance — This is where the rubber meets the road. Once I understand the proper application of the word in my life based on study and self-examination I must ask, “What am I going to do with this knowledge?” Consider some texts that can be understood in a Biblically balanced way. 

• 1 John 1:7-9: All grace and no law? No. Constantly worried I am going to be eternally condemned if Jesus comes back right now? No. Keep walking in the light (which would involve correcting errors) and confessing fault and your sins will be covered.
• Galatians 5:22-23: I’m fine as long as I have most of those down? No. I am so weak in all those God must be so displeased with me? Not necessarily! I should respond by working on those things that are lacking.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15: Call out every sin here and abroad without speaking to them first? No. Let it go and never question apparent sin? No. We should be diligent to mark, withdraw from, and admonish those who depart from the faith.

Being balanced is really just doing all that the Bible says on a subject. The answer to division in the Lord’s church is not to justify ourselves by finding room in the middle. Neither do we solve the problem by looking to please those in our inner circle or those with greater influence in the brotherhood. Look to God’s word for the answers and have the attitudes sufficient to make necessary change.