The one who drinks the bottled water in the sanctuary feels that the one who isn't comfortable doing so is being Pharisaical. The one who wears the suit and tie in church disdains the casual appearance of the other. The one who only consumes Christian media thinks the one who listens to secular music is rotting their brain. The Republican denounces the Democrat for voting for abortion, the Democrat denounces the Republican for voting for greed.
Is it possible that both parties could be right? Perhaps the one drinking the bottled water in the sanctuary knows that the sanctuary is not the Holy of Holies from the Temple, and sees the church building as just a place where the church meets. Conversely, the non-water drinker is abstaining from drinking bottled water in the sanctuary out of respect for God. The suit and tie wearer feels he is being respectful by dressing up for church, yet the casual dresser feels that God accepts him and sees beyond the Polo shirt.
The Bible addresses these divisions in Romans 14:5-9:
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
In the early church, some regarded certain holidays, others didn't. Some observed food restrictions, others didn't. However, Paul wrote that all were doing what they were doing for the Lord, and thus they should be left alone to do as they felt the Lord wanted them to do.
The problem arises, however, when Christians feel the need to get their brothers and sisters in Christ to act just like they do. Paul addressed that attitude in Romans 14:4:
Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
God is our master, and He is the one who will judge us. Our decisions on the finer points of practice (dress code, water bottles, music choice, etc,) will be addressed by God. If a believer's standards are not up to par, God has a way of getting them up to par (He shall be holden up, for God is able to make him stand.)
So, conduct yourself the way you believe God wants you to, whether it be by dress, entertainment, food choices, or voting habits. Let everyone else follow God as they feel He is directing them. If Christians will do this, we'll have peace and harmony in the church.
2 comments:
Bro. Acker, What you posted, speaks volumes, for a new members class.
This is especially true in a mission work.
A new members class spells out by scripture to the prospect, What they may expect from us and what we may expect from them.
If they are going to cause trouble it is better to find out before they gain membership.
I hope things work out for your good. Marlin Freeman
Great post, and I agree with it. The problem comes when believers have been taught "the Bible says" something about it.
For example, one believer may feel it is actually a sin to dress up in a suit and tie, since this violates the definition of "modesty" as in Webster's definition of not dressing excessively. He may consider the suit and tie is a "fancy schmancy" excessive dress, and it is therefore a sin to wear it.
Then, the man dressed in a suit and tie may believe dressing in blue jeans is not dressing modestly due to the definition of "modesty" his parents gave him meaning "respectful".
Both feel they are following the Bible's command, and that anything else in the house of God is sin in the church. Both want to cast out the leaven for a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Both want to get the sin out of church so Jesus' church can grow and prosper without the un-biblical practices that are holding it back.
You are absolutely 100% right, but getting either of these two men to see the issue truly is "minor" will be extremely difficult. If you ever learn how to get people to stop majoring on the minors, lemme know.
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