Maintaining Christian Stability In An Unstable World Spiritual Balance Maintaining Christian Stability In An Unstable World

Spiritual Balance Spiritual balance is required (Mt. 23:23) Spiritual balance take maturity, focus, and biblical understanding

Balance in Zeal and Knowledge Many religious people are zealous, but misguided (Phil. 3:6; Gal. 4:16-17) Others have a knowledge of truth without zeal (Rev. 2:4; 3:15-16) Both zeal and knowledge are a must (Rom. 10:2)

Balance in Knowledge and Wisdom Many lack the knowledge to teach (1 Tim. 1:7; 2 Tim. 2:2; Heb. 5:11-14) Others have knowledge but lack the wisdom and maturity to apply what they are saying (Jas. 3:1ff,13-18) Both knowledge and wisdom are a must (Col. 1:9; 2:3)

Balance in Emotion and Truth Many religious people are emotional, but will not listen to truth (Ac. 19:20,23-28,34) Others lack the emotion that comes from truth (Ac. 2:41; 8:39; 16:34; Phil. 4:1; Rev. 2:4; Mt. 24:12) Both emotion and truth are a must (Jn. 4:24)

Balance in General Principles and Specific Details Many will maintain general principles, but fail to obey the details (Lk. 6:46; Jn. 14:15; 15:14). Others will remember the details and overlook the principles (1 Cor. 11:20; 13:1-7; Eph. 4:25-32) Both the general and the specific are a must (Mt. 23:23-24)

Balance in Absolute Obedience and Relative Growth Some Bible matters, like baptism, are of absolute obedience (2 Pet. 2:12) Other Bible matters involve a lifetime of growth (2 Pet. 2:5) Both absolute obedience and growth are necessary (1 Tim. 3:2)

Balance in Bearing Burdens of Self and Others Some help themselves, but not others (Phil. 2:3-4; 1 Thess. 5:14) Some help others, but not themselves (2 Cor. 13:5; 2 Jn. 8; Jude 20) Both burdens of self and others need attention (Mt. 7:1-5; Gal. 6:1-5)

Balance in the Desire to Be Right and Humility Some desiring to be humble end up condoning unrighteousness (Col. 2:23) Others who desire to be right often lack humility (Lk. 18:9-14) Both righteousness and humility are needed (Eccl. 7:15-18; Rom. 12:9,16)

Balance in Matters of Divine Revelation & Human Opinion Some religious matters are of divine revelation (Jn. 16:13; 17:17; 2 Jn. 9-11) Other religious matters are of human opinion, scruple, judgment or conscience (Rom. 14:1-23) Both divine revelation and human opinion must be respected (1 Cor. 8:4-13)

Balance in Saving the Lost and Keeping the Saved Many brethren focus on keeping the saved while neglecting the lost (Mt. 9:37-38) Other brethren focus on the lost and neglect their own (1 Tim. 4:16) Both the lost and the saved are important (Ac. 2:42,46; 4:23; 5:14,42; 6:7; 8:4; 11:22)

Balance in Truth and Love Many religious people are caring but lack the truth (Ac. 17:22; 18:26; 19:32) Others have the truth but lack the proper attitude (Phil. 1:15-17) Both truth and love are necessary (Jer. 1:7-10; 6:9-16; 9:1; Eph. 4:16; 2 Tim. 2:15,24-26; Jude 3,22-23)