Dealing w/ Disagreements #4: Matters of Judgment

First of all, I apologize for the ridiculously long title. I couldn't find a way to shorten it. 

Second, this is the fourth article in a series of articles on the different kinds of disagreements and divisions that might occur in the local church and how a different response ought to be implemented depending on the nature of the disagreement. In the first article, we studied how we ought to respond to those who advocate error in a divisive manner. In the second article, we studied how we ought to take a softer and more gentle approach towards those who are wrong, but innocent. In the third article, we studied how we ought to wisely discern between what is worth arguing about and what isn't worth arguing about.

In this fourth article, I'd like to address a fourth kind of disagreement. How should we react when we disagree on matters of personal judgment or opinion? This is a difficult question to answer for a number of reasons, and I must admit as I begin that I am ever growing in this area of my faith. In writing this article, I may be stepping on your toes, but believe me when I say that I am first and foremost stepping on my own toes.

First of all, what do I mean when I refer to "matters of personal judgment or opinion?"

There are, to be sure, rules and commandments in the New Testament that ought to be advocated, obeyed, and bound upon all. Just as Paul commanded Timothy to charge some that they teach no other doctrine (1 Tim. 1:3), so must we take a stand against false doctrine (Rom. 16:16-17; Gal. 1:6-10). We cannot accept any teachings and/or practices that contradict God's word (Ac. 17:11; 1 Cor. 5), whether it's an addition to God's word or a subtraction from God's word.

But at the same time, it is abundantly clear that there are choices that we must make, and things that we may do, that fall into the realm of personal judgment. These are areas where God's word is completely silent either way. In these areas, we are commanded to be tolerant.

"Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him" (Rom. 14:1-3).

What kind of issues are under consideration in this controversial chapter? We are first told that these are "doubtful things" (vs. 1), as opposed to things that God has clearly addressed. Second, we learn that these disagreements were between strong and weak brethren (vs. 1, 3; 15:1), not between faithful brethren and unfaithful brethren. So these were choices where sin wasn't committed either way. Third, these were matters of personal judgment (vs. 22-23) - choices that primarily impacted the one making the choice.

Paul's admonition in Romans 14 is that brethren be tolerant and patient in these areas. 

For example, it may be that a Catholic is converted to Christ, and yet they are not comfortable eating meat on Fridays (because it violates their conscience, vs. 23). There is nothing wrong with eating meat on Fridays, but neither is it wrong to NOT eat meat on Fridays...so be patient with them as they grow. Don't demand that they change, don't be harsh with them, and certainly don't invite them over for potroast on Friday.

And there are countless issues like this (that we take for granted) where tolerance must be shown.

The same basic message is taught by Paul in 1 Corinthians 8, where he deals with another sensitive issue: the eating of meat that had been offered to idols (vs. 4) and the eating of meat in the idol's temples (vs. 10). Neither action was inherently sinful, and yet Paul specifically addresses the mature Christians, admonishing them to give up their liberty in these areas if it was an issue (i.e. a stumblingblock) for other, weaker Christians. What I glean most from this passage is that I must not be quick to label something as sinful (and thus make it a point of contention) when it is merely unwise. It wasn't sinful to eat in the idol's temple, but as Paul says, it may not have been the wisest choice because of the impact it would have had on the weaker Christians. NOTE: I wonder what kind of sermon I would have preached on the topic of eating in the idol's temple had I lived and preached in the first century??? Would I have condemned it?

Connecting this to Romans 14, we must be tolerant of beliefs and actions that aren't sinful. Someone's position may be wrong. Their actions may be unwise and/or shortsighted. A brother may live more strictly or more loosely than do we. But it is vital that we display tolerance and forbearance in all matters of personal judgment.  

We tend to want to make everything "black and white." We want everything to be clear-cut, to be right or wrong...and such is convenient (for us), but that doesn't make it the right approach. Unity comes not when everyone else conforms to our ideas and opinions, but when we all conform to God's word, which requires a firm stand in some areas, and tolerance in others.

Click here to access the fifth and final article in this series.