Christians bicker and fight over some of the most insignificant issues. Congregations have split over the use of instruments and the construction of fellowship halls. There are pre-millennial Churches and post millennial churches and both claim to be standing firm on God’s Word. Churches have fought over whether the Masons are a satanic cult or a service organization. Churches divide over music styles, the celebration of Christmas and Saturday night worship.
The 14th chapter of Romans addresses how Christians should respond to issues that are not essential doctrines or matters of salvation. “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.” (Rom 14:1)
There are different kinds of conflicts mentioned in Scripture. There are disputable matters that are so complex they will never be resolved. There are doctrinal errors that need to be lovingly corrected (Acts 18:26). And there are false teachings that will spread like gangrene if not removed. (2 Tim. 2:17) Many conflicts occur because church leaders don’t distinguish between trivial, “disputable” matters and essential doctrines.
Paul cites two examples of disputable matters that aren’t worth fighting about: eating meat and the celebration of special days. “The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not”. And, “One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.” (v. 5) If you are a vegetarian or if you prefer not to worship on Saturday night, fine, just don’t condemn those who have a different opinion.
Also, be careful not to become a stumbling block to your brother. If you are aware that someone is offended by your freedom don’t flaunt it. Don’t deliberately agitate others. If you know some take offense when you wear an earring on the church platform take it off, it’s such a little thing! Be bigger than they are. “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.” {v. 21)
Sometimes the best response to disputable matters is to keep your mouth shut. “Whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” (v. 22). Why disturb people by bringing up a matter of no consequence when you know it will be divisive? Even though you might delight in seeing a narrow-minded person squirm, maturity knows that harmony always trumps an argument and keeps quiet. .
Paul adds this word of caution, “Don’t allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil.” (v. 5) You can’t sit back and be silent if someone makes a disputable matter a test of fellowship. Legalism stifles the church so the desire for peace can’t override the importance of freedom.
But we should, “make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.” (19-20) Some of the most mature believers are those who have been through church and family fights in the past and know how devastating they can be. These experienced, Godly people are sometimes seen as compromising or lacking zeal but in reality they’ve learned that harmony is fragile and is more valuable than proving someone wrong – especially when the disagreement doesn’t really matter.
