I had a friend who questioned his Christian workplace’s views of a particular disputable theological matter. Not long after voicing his concerns, he was labeled by co-workers as being theologically suspect. He no longer works for that ministry. But he recently found out that his accusers and the denomination with which the workplace was affiliated ended up agreeing with his stance. Unfortunately, he never received an apology from the group.

Jesus faced similar opposition for challenging people’s beliefs. When He healed a man who was born blind, the religious leaders became angry because He did so on the Sabbath. They considered Jesus’ theology to be suspect (John 9:16), since Jewish law forbade people from working on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:9-11). Not only did the leaders think Jesus was a heretic (John 9:24), they thought the man who was healed was lying when he told them he was born blind (John 9:18). When the man questioned the leaders’ attitude toward Jesus and himself and their errant theological beliefs, they grew even more indignant (John 9:28-34).

The religious leaders didn’t believe they had anything new to learn about God or that He could act outside of their understanding of Him. How dare the man born blind, so obviously a sinner, question them or attempt to give theological instruction? (John 9:34).

We can also become arrogant in our theological understanding and unwilling to be corrected. We can become hard-hearted, unwilling to admit we have anything new to learn. But God says He dwells with those who possess humble and contrite hearts (Isaiah 57:15). May we grow in our knowledge of God, but also in our humility as the Holy Spirit draws us to be in awe and amazement of who He is!

NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 7:1-31