While not condemning personal opinion, in regard to your relationship with God, they can be very dangerous. We do recognize opinion plays an important part in personal faith. We all have opinions... As an example: I personally believe unborn children who die before birth will receive a resurrection. (I have a little sister who was born dead. I believe I will see her in the resurrection.) That is my opinion, and I "believe" it is supported by Bible principle: The Bible says that if a man causes a pregnant woman to loose her unborn child, he is to pay for the life of the child with his own life. (Exodus 21:22-23) That Bible principle shows God is concerned about the life of the unborn fetus. So, I reckon the unborn will receive a resurrection. That is my personal faith but I also realize it is just my opinion. What makes it my opinion, for the purpose of this Bible study, is that the Bible does not "specifically say" unborn children who die will receive a resurrection; Hence, it is just my opinion. I stand by it and believe it, but I have no right to teach it as "Bible truth." There is no reason to argue about it among those who recognize they "live by faith."(Romans 1:17b) There is certainly no reason to judge someone "lost" because they disagree with my opinion. If you believe otherwise about the matter, you have every right to do so. Those are among the things we will stand before the judgment seat of the Christ to defend, and you should feel secure in your defense based on your knowledge and understanding of the Bible; As should I. There are other scriptures which bear upon this subject in principle, but that is not the point being considered. The point is, no matter how strongly we believe we can defend ourselves on this issue, or any other "opinion" we might hold, if the Bible does not specifically say a thing, it remains just an opinion. Until God makes it more clear, no one has a right to assert his or her opinion as "Bible truth."
This illustrates a real danger associated with your study of the Bible. Everywhere you look you will find people who are prepared to judge you wicked or good, based on some doctrine of theirs. Be careful about developing faith in doctrine (always associated with organizations [or sects] of men. Doctrines are just the set of rules the different religious sects create to define and then police membership. Each sect believes their doctrine is Scriptural.) Be careful about believing the doctrinal judgment of you, good or bad, by any religious sect. If you believe them and they are wrong, it is YOU who will suffer the consequences. Breaking free of the lies (doctrines) of men is why God gave you the Bible! (John 8:31-32) Of course, if it truly is a Bible teaching, it is safe to put faith in that teaching. The Bible says very simply, building their own doctrine is what false prophets do. (Deuteronomy 18:20-22; Mark 7:7-8) Even if someone should perform signs, but goes against the teachings of the Bible, you can know he is wrong. (2 Thes 2:8-12) All opinions are suspect because what defines an opinion is that it is not clearly and directly supported in scripture. (Deuteronomy 12:32 - 13:4) As examples: 1)... Jesus is the son of God. (John 1:33-34; Mat 16:13-17) 2)... All who express faith in Jesus will live forever. (John 17:3; John 3:14-15) Neither of those two statements is my opinion because the Bible "clearly" and "specifically" supports them. That the unborn who die will receive a resurrection is just my opinion, because the Bible does not clearly and openly say that. The Bible is without question, then, the only safe source of absolute truth; The only source of spiritual food. Build your faith on Bible truth, then, while you carefully avoid being misled by the opinions of even well meaning individuals. (Mat 7:21-23; Mat 7:15) That's why this site will never direct you to join or follow us. Rather, we quote the Bible and direct you to put faith in and follow only Jesus Christ. Read your Gospels. (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)
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