I want to open by asking you a few questions:
Do you believe the God wants us all to look the same?
Does He desire us to be the same? To live the same?
Does He expect us to believe the same things?
As humans we mistakenly group questions like this all together, expecting the same answer.
Some of us can’t possibly fathom that God could desire us to live in unity, yet delight in our uniqueness, and not expect uniformity!
I have been disturbed lately by the division that I see caused because of a lack of unity on Biblically foundational Truths as well as the lack of grace on disputable Christian liberty matters!
What happens when people in the Church don’t know the differences between disputable and indisputable issues?
Division.
Division occurs when we do not take into consideration what issues are permissible for Christian brothers and sisters to choose and act differently on.
When the Church is divided, what ministry do we have to the world?
So what are disputable and indisputable issues?
Some refer to them as open-handed and closed-handed issues. Some call them Christian liberty issues or matters of law.
“Disputable matters are in contrast to indisputable matters. Indisputable matters are those truths that are essential to the Christian faith. They are defined by our doctrinal statements and include core beliefs such as the triune nature of God, Jesus being fully God and fully man, His atoning death on the cross, and the hope of glory for those in Christ. These are the basis for Christian fellowship; they are essentials that we would die for.
In contrast, disputable matters are issues which do not serve as conditions for Christian fellowship. Are these matters worth discussing? Yes, they often are, but they certainly aren’t a test of a person’s saving faith. A wise leader knows how to distinguish between disputable and indisputable matters.” Gary D. Friesen, Alliance Peacemaking
There have recently been radical changes in our culture that have had massive social impact. Many of these changes challenge indisputable issues that the Word of God speaks clearly on. I speak directly as to why I think there is so much division in the Church with regard to standing firm together in love here in this post.
While these changes are not the first in our American history that threaten and persecute the Church and followers of Christ, I am convinced that the tolerance for Christians to speak their beliefs without persecution is rapidly disappearing. This has intensified a division among believers as well as those outside the Body of Christ. And in a time when we need to be strong and stand together, there is a great divide and even a lack of comradery fostered because of a lack of grace due to open handed issues.
There is a lack of unity on Biblical Foundational Truths, and I speak to much of the issues behind it in this post, but there is also a growing division among believers that is based on petty disputable issues as well. And I believe it is simply because of a lack of understanding that there are actual issues that God has given us the freedom to choose and live differently in, but that those lifestyle choices, restrictions, or liberties do not need to divide us.
There is such skeptisicm among people today, and with good reason. Unfortunately, with most, all they need to find is ONE thing they disagree on, to stop listening. It’s like throwing the baby out with the bathwater, as Grandma used to say.
I have witnessed a growing division among people in the Church on issues, but not just on the indisputable ones, it is also a lack of kindness, grace, and tolerance for others to exercise their Christian freedom in matters that are not eternal.
For example, last week I wrote a post about why our family simply cannot recommend the Minions Movie. It was just our opinion about our conviction. My husband and I, were convicted to share why because we had posted pictures taking our seven year old son to see it for his birthday on social media, which we later deleted after the movie, and we didn’t feel good about sending mixed messages to others.
We felt accountable to share our true opinion. And that is all it was, our opinion. Which I clearly stated.
While I was encouraged by many of you for speaking out, the majority of those in opposition were less than kind.
It was hard for me not to take it personally since many of those in disagreement made it personal by judging us, condemning our parenting, and accusing us of not allowing our children to have a childhood. As if watching a movie or not determines whether a child has a good childhood or not.
Overall, the Spirit of God, gave me a peace. He reminded me that it is not their approval I seek.
In fact, the Lord revealed to me again that this is an example of a bigger issue among believers: a lack of understanding that it is ok to have differing opinions on disputable matters, like movies! And that it is actually healthy for us to challenge one another as iron sharpens iron!
I grew even more in my conviction and review of the film because of comments from readers, but also in how to encourage those who had seen it and felt the same way because I spoke out.
I was challenged to realize that even though I thought we had made a parenting foul, that we really had redeemed it through teaching and discussing it all with our children over the past 10 days after viewing it. That as my sweet seven year old decided to take back his minion themed gifts and exchange them for legos, there was a stewardship lesson being learned. And because some challenged me to view it as an option to redeem it, even though we already were, I was able then to prepare and encourage other parents to do the same when they had already viewed it.
The point I want to make is that we believers need to do some deep study on Paul speaks to as not tempting your brother {or sister} to sin against their conscience. It’s not about what we do or don’t do.
It’s about obeying our conscience, but also recognizing that our conscience is NOT by nature in alignment with God’s Word or will. We need to be constantly adjusting and re-aligning it to Scripture. And here is the real catch.
What my conscience is convicting me of, might not convict you, and vice versa.
“Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?
One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God… Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother?” Romans 14:3-10“Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother…For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:13, 17
“Do not, for the sake of food,[or movies, education preferences, or other non-eternal issues] destroy the work of God.” Romans 14:20
This is teaching us to be careful to not allow our lifestyle choices to destroy the work of God.
The division that we allow ourselves to create because of preferences can actually destroy the work of God by creating division among us and disabling us from doing what we are called to do: make disciples!
“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” Romans 15:1-2
I used to misunderstand this scripture to mean that those who seem to be strong, who have the stricter regulations, or who have set boundaries upon themselves are the ones being referred to as the weaker brothers here in this passage. But I was incorrect.
I know I have often been judged others as legalistic, assuming that they were stronger scripturally because they could abide to stricter guidelines, or they seemed “strong” because they seemed so confident in their decision or lifestyle choice. But that is not what Paul is referring to at all here. In fact, He is referring to those who are weak as those who know their weakness and choose stricter guidelines because they are aware of their temptation to sin.
Be careful who you condemn and label as legalistic or strong, weak or nominal.
Once you understand that, doesn’t it free you up to allow your brother or sister in Christ to eliminate certain freedoms, and choose to live with stricter guidelines?
So as I reflect on this past week and how so many people were able to easily condemn me, the one who felt convicted by the Lord to uphold a stricter guideline, I am sad because they do not even realize how by their condemnation they have disregarded God’s warning against tempting a brother to sin against his conscience.
God chose me to be my child’s parent. Not anyone else. And in this day in age where parental rights are being threatened and parents are not given the authority or respect that is Biblically predetermined to be theirs, we need to support one another to listen to our consciences with regard to parenting decisions as well, especially when it seems so counter cultural.
We should be able to talk about disputable issues and challenge one another, but with kindness and grace.
Many of you know that I have just recently launched my first online Bible study, Redeeming the Division: The Quiet Fight Between Women.
I felt compelled to take a month to meditate on Scriptures such as Romans 14 & 15, and become more acquainted with Paul’s teaching of disputable and indisputable issues, and scriptures that speak specifically to divisions in the Church. As I began my research, I quickly realized there was a need to clarify that much of what we are tackling to overcome in the course is division that is caused by disputable issues.
Now, I want to be clear, I do not teach on these disputable issues specifically. Can you imagine how long the course would be? Oh my.
Instead I have add a special unit to my course on this topic of disputable and indisputable issues.
My hope is that this facilitates a foundation of grace when issues do arise in the study time.
Women who are going through the course together as a group can learn to distinguish between the two and have a biblical understanding of God’s call for us in relationship with one another and regard to non-eternal issues. I believe this is foundational to understanding and having grace in our relationships with one another, because let’s face it, none of us get it all right all the time, and we are going to do things differently. But we still need to be in support of one another through life. Amen?!
I am thrilled to share with you all that this unit is complete! In fact, if you have already been going through the course, you can login and go back to the first unit and engage with new material specifically focused on this scripture and topic of teaching.
I hope you will consider joining me through the private online forum that is integrated in the online BIble study and invite a friend to do the course with you! It’s a great way to Transform Surfacy Friendships and Kill Hidden Loneliness.
If you would like more information on the new online Bible Study Redeeming the Division: The Quiet Fight Between Women join us on Facebook here.
“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 15:5-7
