Disputable Matters

“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters”

                                                                                                Romans 14:1

Having been a pastor now for more than twenty-five years, I am well versed in what might be called “disputable matters” among Christian people.  Disputes within the family of faith are just as common as disputes within the nuclear family.  As natural brothers and sisters often bicker over the most insignificant things, so too do brothers and sisters in Christ.  Sometimes we quarrel because we have strong convictions that are being threatened and other times we simply want to get our own way.  Regardless of the reasons, when we argue over insignificant matters, we only hinder the good work of the gospel that we are commanded to do.  That is why the New Testament is full of warnings against this kind of behavior. 

Now I am all about having strong convictions.  I believe the old saying is true that states “if you don’t stand for something then you will fall for anything.”  I have always admired those who have strong convictions and the strength to stand by them.  Certainly as Christians we are challenged to put the truth of God’s Word at the center of our lives and do our best to live it out without compromise.  These truths help to anchor us during these turbulent times when everything around us is changing at such a rapid pace.  Absolute truth does not divide but rather unites the people of God as we stand together to spread these life changing, undisputable truths known as the Gospel.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ presented by a unified body of believers will be used by God to change the hearts and lives of any and all generations.

However, when this Gospel message is diluted by disunity and quarreling within the body, its power to save is greatly diminished.  That is why our enemy, Satan, the great deceiver is constantly trying to divide us with “disputable matters.”  When the body of Christ is fighting among itself over disputable matters (those not specifically defined by the word of God), the following results will be inevitable:

1.  Weaker Christians will become disillusioned and frustrated.
2. The vision of the church to fulfill the Great Commission will grow distant and vague.
3. Leadership will grow weary in trying to maintain peace.
4. Unbelievers will interpret the quarrelling as “hypocritical” or “self-serving.”
5. The cause of Christ will be stifled.

It has been said that whenever you get two Christians together you have three opinions.  I have certainly seen the truth in that statement.  Yet, while we will always have disagreements based on our personal convictions, every disagreement within the Family of Faith should be governed by the importance of the Great Commission.  Our passion to win the lost to Christ should trump our desire to maintain our own personal convictions in these “disputable matters.”  I cannot imagine sitting around in heaven rejoicing over how tenaciously we maintained a certain protocol in our local church, or how hard we worked to keep certain types of people out!  I seriously doubt that the words budget, buildings, or by-laws will ever be spoken in glory.  Musical styles, dress codes, service orders, programs, authority lines, and certain life-style choices are all things that we feel passionate about while here on earth but will not matter in the least in the world to come.

One of the greatest evangelists that the world has ever seen since Jesus Christ himself was the Apostle Paul.  Once when considering the importance of the Great Commission over his own personal agendas he wrote these powerful words. 

“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.  To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.  I have become all things to all men, so that by all possible means I might save some.  I do all this for the sake of the gospel that I may share in its blessing.”   1 Cor. 9:19-23

Did you catch that???  “For the sake of the gospel…”  Paul had strong convictions but was willing to place those “disputable matters” on the back burner so that he could win as many as possible to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  He also wrote: 

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”    Rom. 14:19

That sums up my request.  Let's try our hardest to get along for the sake of the gospel.

Peace.