Dispute Frameset

<body stylesrc="Nofrdispute.htm" background="Festivebkg.gif" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" link="#800080" vlink="#800080" alink="#800080">  <table border="0" cellpadding="7" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="3" width="66%"><p align="center"><font size="4" face="Arial"><b><img src="Christ.gif" width="166" height="179"></b></font></p> </td> <td valign="top" width="33%"><font size="6" face="Blippo Blk BT">DOUBTFUL DISPUTATIONS <br> <br> </font><font color="#400080" size="3" face="Arial"><em>Click on the underlined links below to read the scripture reference, then click on your browser's back button to return to this page.</em></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">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?</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">The main scripture passage that deals with these issues is </font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 14:1-15:13</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"> 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!</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><p align="center"><font color="#FF0000" size="5" face="Blippo Blk BT">Areas of Conflict Mentioned</font></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td align="center" colspan="2"><p align="center"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>1. Eating Meat vs. Only Vegetables (</strong></font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:2"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>Romans 14:2-3</strong></font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>; </strong></font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:6"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>6</strong></font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>; </strong></font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:14"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>14-17</strong></font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>; </strong></font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:20"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>20-21</strong></font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>; </strong></font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:23"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>23</strong></font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>)</strong></font></p> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="2"><p align="center"><font size="4" face="Arial"><b><img src="../images/Turkey.gif" width="172" height="111"></b></font></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="2"><p align="center"><font size="4" face="Arial"><b><img src="../images/Basket.gif" width="93" height="135"></b></font></p> </td> <td align="center" colspan="2"><p align="center"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>2. Observances of a Holy Day (</strong></font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:5"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>Romans14:5-6</strong></font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>)</strong></font></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td align="center" colspan="2"><p align="center"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>3. Drinking wine (</strong></font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:21"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>Romans 14:21</strong></font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>)</strong></font></p> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="2"><p align="center"><font size="4" face="Arial"><b><img src="Wine.gif" width="142" height="99"></b></font></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="2"><p align="center"><font size="4" face="Arial"><b><img src="Torah.gif" width="111" height="113"></b></font></p> </td> <td align="center" colspan="2"><p align="center"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>4. ETC.: Gray areas not covered by any New Testament commandments (</strong></font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:21"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>Romans 14:21</strong></font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>; </strong></font><a href="romans12.htm#Colossians2:16"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>Colossians 2:16-17</strong></font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>;</strong></font><a href="romans12.htm#ITimothy4:3"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong> I Timothy 4:3</strong></font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif"><strong>)</strong></font></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><p align="center"><font color="#008040" size="5" face="Blippo Blk BT">Guiding Principles for Christian Conduct</font></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Accept your brother (or sister) for whom Christ died, even if his (her) faith is weak. (</font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:1"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 14:1</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">,</font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:15"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">15</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">; </font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 15:7"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">15:7</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">)</font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Do NOT pass judgement on disputable matters (</font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:1"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 14: 1</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">); keep your opinions about them to yourself and God (</font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:22"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 14:22</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">).</font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Your are not your brother's (sister's) judge or master: God is. (</font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:4"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 14:4</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">, </font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:10"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">10</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">). Recognize that Jesus is YOUR master (</font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:7"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 14:7, 8</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">).</font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Study each disputable matter and be fully convinced in your own mind (</font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:5"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans14:5</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">). If you have doubts about the matter, do not do it, for whatever is of doubt is sin. (</font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:23"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 14:23</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">).</font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Whatever you decide is right for you, use it as an occasion for thanksgiving to God (</font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:6"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 14:6-7</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">; </font><a href="romans12.htm#ITimothy4:4"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">I Timothy 4:4</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">).</font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">We must each give an account before God for our OWN actions. (</font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:10"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 14:10-12</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">).</font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Do NOT put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way, or do anything to cause him to fail (</font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:13"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 14:13</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">, </font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:16"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">16</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">, </font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:20"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">20, 21</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">).</font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">No food is unclean of itself (</font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:14"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 14:14</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">; </font><a href="romans12.htm#ITimothy4:3"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">I Timothy 4:3-5</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">).</font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">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. (</font><a href="romans12.htm#ICorinthians10:32"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">I Corinthians 10:32-33</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">; </font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:15"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 14:15</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">).</font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Service to Christ in the Kingdom of God is not eating nor drinking, but righteousness, peace and joy (</font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:17"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 14:17-18</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">); which pleases God and brings approval from men. Doubtful disputations bring false guilt, insecurity and anxiety, confusion and strife.</font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Make every effort to do what leads to peace (</font><a href="romans12.htm#Romans12:17"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 12:17-18</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">; </font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:19"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">14:19</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">).</font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Make every effort to do what leads to mutual edification (building up, </font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 14:19"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 14:19</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">).</font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Our goal should not be to please ourselves, but to please our neighbor for THEIR good to build THEM up (</font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 15:1"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 15:1-4</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">; </font><a href="romans12.htm#ICorinthians10:23"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">I Corinthians 10:23-24</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">); using Christ and the scriptures as our example. This takes both endurance (</font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 15:4"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 15:4-5</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">); and encouragement from the scriptures and from God.</font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Strive for a SPIRIT OF UNITY as this glorifies God (</font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 15:5"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 15:5-6</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">) and brings praise to Him (</font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 15:7"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 15:7</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">; </font><a href="romans12.htm#ICorinthians10:31"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">I Corinthians 10:31</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">).</font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Christ, as our example, became a SERVANT to both the Jews and Gentiles (</font><a href="romans14.htm#Romans 15:8"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 15:8-13</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">). </font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><p align="center"><font color="#FF0000" face="Arial"><em>"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a </em><em><strong>spirit of unity </strong></em><em>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)</em></font></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><p align="center"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">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.<br> DON'T BE A PHARISEE!!!</font></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td colspan="4"><p align="center"><img src="Festiveline.gif" width="513" height="8"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><p align="center"><font color="#400080" size="5" face="Blippo Blk BT">What if your brother (sister) sins against you?</font><font face="Arial"><b><i> <br> </i></b>(</font><a href="romans12.htm#Matthew18:15"><font face="Arial">Matthew 18:15-17</font></a><font face="Arial">)</font></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Go to him alone and show him his fault. (</font><a href="romans12.htm#Matthew18:15"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Matthew 18:15</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">)</font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">If he will not listen, go again and take one or two others along. Every matter must be established by 2 or 3 witnesses. (</font><a href="romans12.htm#Matthew18:16"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Matthew 18:16</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">; </font><a href="romans12.htm#Deuteronomy 19:15"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Deuteronomy 19:15</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">)</font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">If he refuses to listen, tell it to the Church. (</font><a href="romans12.htm#Matthew18:17"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Matthew 18:17</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">; </font><a href="romans12.htm#Titus3:10"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Titus 3:10</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">; </font><a href="romans12.htm#Romans16:17"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Romans 16:17-18</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">)</font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">If he still refuses to listen let him be as a publican and sinner. Be filled with grief (</font><a href="romans12.htm#ICorinthians5:2"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">I Corinthians 5:2-5</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">). Put the individual out of the fellowship.</font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">If he repents, forgive, comfort him and reaffirm your love for him (</font><a href="romans12.htm#2Corinthians2:6"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">2 Corinthians 2:6-8</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">)</font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%"> </td> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><dir> <li><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Restore him gently (</font><a href="romans12.htm#Galatians 6:1"><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">Galatians 6:1</font></a><font size="2" face="MS Sans Serif">) </font></li> </dir> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td colspan="4"><table border="1" width="100%"> <tr> <td><p align="center"><font size="5" face="Amazone BT">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.<br> In Jesus' Name, Amen.</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> <div align="center"><center> <table border="2"> <tr> <td><a href="ohframeset.htm"><font size="4">Open Heart Home</font></a></td> </tr> </table> </center></div> <p align="center"><font color="#400080" size="2"><em>�1998 Karleen Page Cole, all rights reserved.</em></font></p>  </body>