The Bible is very clear about the central truths of the Gospel: that Jesus was God in human flesh; that He died for our sins; that He rose again from the dead; that we can be saved by trusting Him and committing our lives to Him; that some day He will come again, and so forth.

In other words, the Bible tells us everything we need to know in order to be saved and to follow Christ. But the Bible doesn’t tell us everything we’d like to know! God has kept some things hidden, or has only given us hints in the Bible about them. Some day in heaven we’ll have all our questions answered—but not now. I often quote the Apostle Paul’s words about this: “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

We need to be obedient whenever the Bible does speak clearly—and we need to be cautious and humble when it doesn’t. Equally sincere Christians sometimes disagree over minor matters, and they sometimes see issues differently. But these should never be a source of conflict or contention—and I’m sure the devil rejoices when they are.

Pray for your church, that Christ—not some minor matter of belief or practice—will become the focus of all you do. The Bible says, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus … (who) humbled himself” (Philippians 2:5-8).