Dear Friend: Unity in the Middle East

There are several reasons that there is unity among the believers in countries like Iraq.

• They all desire to be close to God.
• The believers have not been taught by different schools of thought. They agree with each other.
• The believers are so few they that need the fellowship more.
• Evangelism (the Gospel) is the common goal.
• There is a common unbelief surrounding them.

In any case, it is nice to have the unity. You said, “I want something that makes me more like what God wants me to be,” and, “I have not seen any theology that universally provides this.” You do not have to choose between different existing theologies. Do not bother studying them and comparing them with each other.

• As you read the New Testament, look for and list all of the chapters that teach you how to be like Jesus. Also look for and list all the chapters that teach you, plainly, a distinctive theology. How many are there?
• Read all the texts that teach about examples and imitation.
• Read the Scriptures that teach about the heart and about fruit.
• Read all the Scriptures that teach about knowledge.
• Read the Scriptures that have the verb of being and then the Scriptures that have action verbs.
• Do not explain Scriptures, and do not pay attention to explanations of Scriptures.
• Do not reason from Scripture or deduce.
• You may follow reasoning that is within Scripture.
• Unless there is an answer given in the text, do not ask, “Why?”

I recognize that I have not given you any examples. That is on purpose.

Most of all, read the Scriptures in context and reread them. Read 1 John every day for a week.

Follow the examples of those who look most like Jesus. Is it their distinctive theology that makes them more like Jesus?

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