Essential and Non-essential

I agree with Father when He says that all scripture is God-breathed and useful. Neglecting or ignoring any part of it is unwise since it communicates Truth.

Saying that all scripture is God-breathed and useful is not the same thing as saying that all things are essential. That is not the case. For example, it is essential for salvation that one believe on Jesus Christ--who He is and what He has done on our behalf--His death and resurrection making it possible for us to become the children of God.

It is not essential that we all understand the rapture of the Church in the same way.

One is essential to salvation and the other is not.

Still, some might assert that everything is essential because it is all interconnected. I can identify with that because I have had to deal with the same thoughts. On the one hand, God has put in place an overarching system and everything about that system is related. Consequently, if we err in understanding any part of it, we miss the Truth to one degree or another.

On the other hand, some of the points of theology and doctrine are necessary for one to believe (e.g. the aforementioned belief on Jesus) if one is to attain righteousness, which is the Life of God and salvation. Others are not essential to salvation—whether to celebrate holy days or Sabbaths, for example.

So, my point is that when we are on the other side of the veil, we will all find that we were wrong or had an incomplete understanding of many things—probably most things. Therefore, as far as it rests in us, we should seek peace and unity and not get too tightly wrapped thinking we have it all figured out.

Grace and peace to you.

Larry

E3 Ministries

LarryEiss.com