01/18/2016
"In essentials unity. In non-essentials liberty. In all things charity (love)."
Philip Schaff, the nineteenth-century church historian, calls the aforementioned phrase, “the watchword of Christian peacemakers” (History of the Christian Church, vol. 7, p. 650). The phrase, often attributed to great theologians such as Augustine, actually comes from an otherwise undistinguished German Lutheran theologian of the early seventeenth century, Rupertus Meldenius. The phrase occurs in a tract on Christian unity written around 1627 during the Thirty Years War (1618–1648), a bloody time in European history in which religious tensions played a significant role. Might it serve us well as a motto for every church and for every denomination today.
As we have been learning these past two Sunday's, there are certain doctrinal truths that we cannot compromise or waver in. One such doctrine is the doctrine of Salvation. In the 1st century the doctrine was challenged by Judaizers (The Circumcision Group) who demanded that Gentiles must first be circumcised and required to follow the Law of Moses to be saved. Subsequently, there have been, and continue to be, those who would add to Biblical salvation- by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, with such requirements as: Baptism, speaking in tongues or various good works. Thankfully, by the direction of the Holy Spirit, it was decided at the Jerusalem Council that no such requirements were necessary for salvation.
However, there are other non-essential (not unimportant) doctrines that Christians are at liberty to disagree over. Some of these topics include:
· Communion every week, monthly, or quarterly, etc.
· Saturday or Sunday Worship.
· Pre-, mid-, post-tribulation rapture.
· Continuation or cessation of the charismatic gifts.
· Infant baptism
· Musical Instruments in church.
· Vegetarianism
· Going to the movies
· Dancing
· Drinking alcohol
· Secular music
How ought we to interact with our brothers and sisters who differ in opinion with us on such issues? There are some good passages we could turn to that would provide some helpful principles to follow (1 Corinthians 8, Romans 14). However, there is one over-arching principle that stands supreme and ought to govern the way we relate to one another in Christ and that is Love.
Jesus called it a new commandment
John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
In James 2:8 it’s called The Royal Law
James 2:8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.
In Galatians 6 it's called the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
As Christians we are obligated to consider the needs, consciences and feelings of our brothers and sisters. Although we may have the liberty to engage in certain actions we must be careful not to purposefully offend, or cause another to stumble, because of our clear conscience and Christian freedom.
“If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Let us therefore 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. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.” (Romans 14:15, 19-21)
In essentials unity. In non-essentials liberty. In all things charity. God help us.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
