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HELEN SANDERS
6-21-2022
HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY
Let’s say that I was to take four people at different times to a local business building that had four sides. I told each of them that I was doing a special project and needed information about the building. But I had each of them look at a different side of that building. They were to examine that side closely and write down what they saw on that side of the building. Later, I would bring all four back together and ask each what they saw. Their answers would be totally different because they saw it from different viewpoints. In conversing with them they may even argue over what “they think” was the right opinion because they weren’t informed that they all saw different sides.
If I poured a glass of water only halfway up, some would say it was half full, and others say it was half empty. It is all in the perception.
When we study scripture, we must never take it out of context. Once a man decided to shut his eyes and open his bible. He would then place his finger on a verse and do what it said. Sad to say it fell on Matthew 27:5 which said about Judas Iscariot, “…and went and hanged himself.” Well, he did not like that, so he did it again. His finger landed on John 13:27 which said, “…that thou doest, do quickly.” Now this man did not go and hang himself even though he read the scripture. He took it out of context. This causes error and creates division between those in the church.
Now back to half full or half empty. Both are correct. It is all in the perception.
Now back to the building with four sides. All four that looked at it were correct. Together, their four answers made up the building. No one had it “all right” because it took the four to see it in its entirety.
When we study scripture, we see it from different viewpoints because of the experience each writer had, and from the knowledge of scripture that they individually had. Peter was rebuked by Paul for treating Christian Gentiles different than Christian Jews. Peter was doubleminded.
Rather than being offended by Paul he learned from him. Later Peter wrote in II Peter 3:15, “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our BELOVED BROTHER PAUL also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you.” Peter learned from Paul, and we likewise should be willing to learn from each other. This is how the body of Christ fitly joins together.
Half full or half empty? It doesn’t really matter. Do not let it become a stumbling block for you!
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