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The Balance Between
Lesson One: Michael Lewis November 2, 2008 |
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The Balance Between
Opinion & Unity
Lesson One:
"Okay, We May Not Agree, But We
are Brothers in the Lord
and that is What Matters Most"
by Michael Lewis
Dalton Gardens Church of Christ
November 2, 2008
Romans 14:1-13, 19
Notice the following from the text:
1. We must endeavor to work through “disputable matters” in a way that honors Christ .
Two components to disputable matters:
1a. A disputable matter is anything that a Christian may have convictions about that is not a matter of salvation .
1b. It is NOT a matter that everyone is forced to participate , but a matter of personal choice .
2. Everyone has the right to their personal convictions and no one has the right to use their convictions to judge others.
3. You should never try to force another Christian to violate their conscience in such a way where they commit sin and may leave the Lord.
4. All Christians are bound by the over-riding responsibility to preserve the unity of the congregation.
4a. You try to allow others all the freedom you can give them.
4b. Then we are also try to out do each other in submitting to the needs of others.
Summary:
1. Diversity is good .
2. The commands of God should never be compromised .
3. The first question we need to ask when a difference arises is it a matter of salvation .
4. If it is a matter of direct command then our intention must be to obey it fully.
5. Many times unity is best served by allowing
Christians the option
of participating or
not participating in a church activity without judgment and in full
acceptance for every
one’s convictions.
6. We don’t have to be afraid of new ideas .
7. We need to always be willing to talk with each other. More than TALK ABOUT EACH OTHER and if necessary for the sake of protecting another’s salvation ; We must love each other enough to sacrifice what we are free to do for the sake of honoring and blessing the weak.