Maybe not so random. God’s will is that all are made whole and come to a precise and correct Knowledge of Him and His son (1Ti 2:4-6). Since God is love (1Jo 4:8, 16). The attributes of love must also be attributes of God (1Co 13:4-8a) If God’s call is to love (1Co 13:13). If the new commandment from Jesus is to love one another (Jo 13:34 & 35). If the second part of the greatest commandment is to love your neighbour (Matt 22:37-39). If the message from the beginning is that we should love and seek the best for one another (1Jo 3:11, 23, 4:7 & 8, 21). If the measure of love is that Christ laid down his life for us, and we are called to do the same by sharing resources and taking action resulting in visible tangible love (1Jo 3:16-19, 4:9-11). If imitating God is walking in love (Eph 5:1 & 2). If love is the virtue that binds everything else in unity (Col 3:14). Then shouldn’t all scripture be understood in light of love? I’m thinking that the key point in 1Ti 2:15, when understood in this context, is that the right dividing of the word encourages/enhances/employs love in all of its attributes. 2Pe 1:20 & 21 is important because “as the holy spirit gave them utterance” must be in the context of love.
My point, the attributes of love are such that they will always build unity, because the hearts, needs and welfare of others are of prime importance. Unity, likemindedness are a common theme in new covenant scripture (Eph 4:2-6, 1Co 1:10, Gal 3:28, Ro 12:5, Php 2:2, Ro 15:5 & 6, 1Pe 3;8 and probably more that I can’t think of right now). So, if 150 members of a church have 150 different understandings of scripture, but none contravene the attributes of love or discount the character of God, and none threaten the unity of the household, are any of them wrong? From another angle, is our Heavenly Father big enough and loving enough to accept 8 billion different understandings if all align with His character and offer praise and worship to Him?
The new covenant church started with people in unity (Acts 1:14, 2:1, 42-47). The pattern worked then. They were unified in passion for God, His word, each other and service. This never wavered. There were differences in understanding, but because there was unity in passion, the church grew and even dominated at points (Acts 19:20). I love researching the detail of the word, seeing the pieces fit, and yes I take small pleasure in seeing God’s character and principles debunking religious doctrines of exclusion and condemnation. However, my understanding, as right as it might be in my eyes, has no more validity before God than that of anyone else who truly seeks Him first (Matt 6:33). Jo 16:13 promises that the holy spirit of Christ within will lead us into all truth. I’m pretty convinced that “all truth” can be a pretty individual thing. God says that He will meet all of our needs (Php 4:19) and the “all truth” that is needed can vary from person to person, situation to situation. What shouldn’t vary is the passion to have God work in and with so that we carry out His works (Php 2:5). As we individually walk the path of service He opens to us, and serve collectively with other believers in the unity of passion, we are His masterpiece (Eph 2:10).
