| |
|
DOUBTFUL DISPUTATIONS
Click
on the underlined links below to read the scripture
reference, then click on your browser's back button to
return to this page. |
| |
Since the Church was founded it
seems that Christians have had great difficulty in
agreeing on what behavior is acceptable for Christians.
There are some things that are undeniably sinful, such as
murder, adultery, idolatry, lying, stealing, etc., and
this article does not address these issues. There are
other areas that are not so easily decided in terms of
black or white - those "gray" areas that seem
to cause so much conflict in Christ's Body. What does the
Bible have to say about eating meat, drinking wine,
observing holy days, or other areas not specifically
covered by the New Testament? What is allowed? What
attitude should we have towards our brothers and sisters
who disagree with us? |
| |
|
| |
The main scripture passage that
deals with these issues is Romans 14:1-15:13 and the principles are not
as cut and dried as what you might think. In fact, the
governing principle according to the Apostle Paul, is not
what YOU think, but what your brother or sister in Christ
thinks! |
| |
Areas of
Conflict Mentioned
|
| |
1. Eating Meat vs.
Only Vegetables (Romans 14:2-3; 6; 14-17; 20-21; 23)
|
|
| |
|
2. Observances of a
Holy Day (Romans14:5-6)
|
| |
3. Drinking wine (Romans 14:21)
|
|
| |
|
4. ETC.: Gray areas
not covered by any New Testament commandments (Romans 14:21; Colossians 2:16-17; I Timothy 4:3)
|
| |
Guiding
Principles for Christian Conduct
|
| |
Accept your
brother (or sister) for whom Christ died, even if
his (her) faith is weak. (Romans 14:1,15; 15:7)
|
| |
Do NOT pass
judgement on disputable matters (Romans 14: 1); keep your
opinions about them to yourself and God (Romans 14:22).
|
| |
Your are not
your brother's (sister's) judge or master: God
is. (Romans 14:4, 10). Recognize that Jesus is
YOUR master (Romans 14:7, 8).
|
| |
Study each
disputable matter and be fully convinced in your
own mind (Romans14:5). If you have
doubts about the matter, do not do it, for
whatever is of doubt is sin. (Romans 14:23).
|
| |
Whatever you
decide is right for you, use it as an occasion
for thanksgiving to God (Romans 14:6-7; I Timothy 4:4).
|
| |
We must each
give an account before God for our OWN actions. (Romans 14:10-12).
|
| |
Do NOT put
any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's
way, or do anything to cause him to fail (Romans 14:13, 16, 20, 21).
|
| |
No food is
unclean of itself (Romans 14:14; I Timothy 4:3-5).
|
| |
But if your
brother (sister) is distressed by what you eat
(or drink), you are no longer ACTING IN LOVE and
could DESTROY your brother (sister) for whom
Christ died. (I Corinthians
10:32-33; Romans 14:15).
|
| |
Service to
Christ in the Kingdom of God is not eating nor
drinking, but righteousness, peace and joy (Romans 14:17-18); which pleases
God and brings approval from men. Doubtful
disputations bring false guilt, insecurity and
anxiety, confusion and strife.
|
| |
Make every
effort to do what leads to peace (Romans 12:17-18; 14:19).
|
| |
Make every
effort to do what leads to mutual edification
(building up, Romans 14:19).
|
| |
Our goal
should not be to please ourselves, but to please
our neighbor for THEIR good to build THEM up (Romans 15:1-4; I Corinthians
10:23-24); using Christ and the
scriptures as our example. This takes both
endurance (Romans 15:4-5); and
encouragement from the scriptures and from God.
|
| |
Strive for a
SPIRIT OF UNITY as this glorifies God (Romans 15:5-6) and brings praise
to Him (Romans 15:7; I Corinthians 10:31).
|
| |
Christ, as
our example, became a SERVANT to both the Jews
and Gentiles (Romans 15:8-13).
|
| |
"May the God who
gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit
of unity among yourselves as you follow
Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may
glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ." (Romans 15:5-6)
|
| |
There are probably
thousands of gray areas that can lead to Doubtful
Disputations in our everyday walk with Christ. We need to
be prepared to ALWAYS respond in love and remember NOT to
be judgmental now matter how convinced we are that we are
right.
DON'T BE A PHARISEE!!!
|
| |
|
| |
What if
your brother (sister) sins against you?
(Matthew 18:15-17)
|
| |
Go to him
alone and show him his fault. (Matthew 18:15)
|
| |
If he will
not listen, go again and take one or two others
along. Every matter must be established by 2 or 3
witnesses. (Matthew 18:16; Deuteronomy 19:15)
|
| |
If he refuses
to listen, tell it to the Church. (Matthew 18:17; Titus 3:10; Romans 16:17-18)
|
| |
If he still
refuses to listen let him be as a publican and
sinner. Be filled with grief (I Corinthians 5:2-5). Put the
individual out of the fellowship.
|
| |
If he
repents, forgive, comfort him and reaffirm your
love for him (2 Corinthians 2:6-8)
|
| |
Restore him
gently (Galatians 6:1)
|
| |
Father God, help us to be
loving in all our ways, and to be tenderhearted
towards our brothers and sisters for whom Christ
died. Speaking the truth in love, let us draw
together in the unity of the spirit as members of
the Body of Christ, encouraging one another as
Your coming draws near.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
|
|