The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 14:1,
"Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters."
It seems to me we would have fewer denominations and ecclesiastical institutions if we were to follow Paul's admonition here. Not a smaller universal church but a more unified one. In his own prayer to the Father, Jesus prayed for unity within the church, "I have given them [believers] the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:22-23. His purpose in church (the true church) unity is that the world be impacted positively for the gospel.
However, what we do, when we get to know another brother or sister, is to share the things of the Lord as we develop in our fellowship. This is great until we find where we have a difference of opinion on some matter, a "disputable matter." Then things go sideways. We dive into fellowship, share with one another, and when we inevitably find that point of disagreement we part ways.
Paul says don't do that. Recognize the difference and continue to accept one another. The caveat here is in defining what is a "disputable" matter versus one which is not. We each have to search our hearts and pray about those things. Clearly there are some things that force a break in fellowship: denying the resurrection, denying the deity of Jesus Christ, denying the inspiration of the Scriptures, you can build that list for yourself.
Psalm 133 is appropriate to think about in this regard,
"How good and pleasant it is
when God's people live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron's beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore."
Paul says later in the chapter, "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." Verse 19.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters."
It seems to me we would have fewer denominations and ecclesiastical institutions if we were to follow Paul's admonition here. Not a smaller universal church but a more unified one. In his own prayer to the Father, Jesus prayed for unity within the church, "I have given them [believers] the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:22-23. His purpose in church (the true church) unity is that the world be impacted positively for the gospel.
However, what we do, when we get to know another brother or sister, is to share the things of the Lord as we develop in our fellowship. This is great until we find where we have a difference of opinion on some matter, a "disputable matter." Then things go sideways. We dive into fellowship, share with one another, and when we inevitably find that point of disagreement we part ways.
Paul says don't do that. Recognize the difference and continue to accept one another. The caveat here is in defining what is a "disputable" matter versus one which is not. We each have to search our hearts and pray about those things. Clearly there are some things that force a break in fellowship: denying the resurrection, denying the deity of Jesus Christ, denying the inspiration of the Scriptures, you can build that list for yourself.
Psalm 133 is appropriate to think about in this regard,
"How good and pleasant it is
when God's people live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron's beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore."
Paul says later in the chapter, "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." Verse 19.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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