Phil 2:1-2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Many Christians believe we all need to think exactly alike. We need to believe the same, act the same, and worship the same. But, that’s not what Scripture says. We are to be of one accord, one community, the church. We can disagree on non-essentials.
As most of you know, I talk with JWs and ex-JWs fairly regularly. They consider denominations as warring factions within the church. Sadly, we the church, have given them that impression. They ask why there need to be so many of what they call “divisions” in the church.
The answer, of course, is that people tend to join with others of like mind. Denominations don’t disagree on basic doctrines like the Trinity, bodily resurrection of Christ, deity of Christ, or salvation by grace alone. If they did, they wouldn’t be considered a part of the church. Denominations disagree on peripheral issues like the mode of baptism, what day of the week to meet, and form of church government.
I had a friend tell me he would never street witness with a charismatic as though that area of his belief disqualified him as a Christian. As hard as it is to believe, there are only two qualifications for being a Christian and they are found in Romans 10:9-10
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
We’re not saved because we belong to the EV Free Church or the Church of the Nazarene. We’re saved by grace through faith and that faith comes from acknowledging Jesus as Lord and that God raised Him from the dead.
Sure we have differences, but those differences are not the hills we necessarily want to die on. A quote that has been attributed to everyone from Martin Luther to Billy Graham says, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials liberty; but in all things charity.” I think that’s a good maxim to live by.
The discussion of our differences is as old as the Church itself. It’s the heart behind our discussions that is significant. If we just want to argue to prove we’re right about a minor point of doctrine or belief, we’re approaching the discussion wrongly should end it. If we think the other person would benefit from the discussion or that we might, we should continue on so long as it stays civil and loving.
Public discussions are another issue. I often listen to public debates between Christians and some representatives of a cult or other world religion. There’s nothing wrong with those so long as the Christian, again, acts in a loving way. But, if Christians angrily discuss some minor point of doctrine it makes the Christians look petty to the non-believers. Debates of any sort which generate heat with very little light should be avoided.
Why is this important?
Heated discussions over minor issues damage the unity Paul spoke of in Phil. 2. We get angry with a brother or sister over our disagreement which hurts Christ, our relationship with that brother or sister and erodes our own walks.
I’m not saying we should never stand up for the faith. I’m not even saying we should shy away from discussions of minor issues. But, if you find yourself or the person you’re speaking with getting upset, it’s time to end the discussion.
Dr. Walter Martin used to say “If two people think exactly alike, one of them isn’t thinking.” I think he’s right. If we all agree on everything it would be a world of boredom and a world without learning. We learn best when challenged.
So, we should pick the hills we want to die on. We should look out for the personal interest of the non-believer and even our brother as much as our own: Phil. 2:4 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Ours is a reasonable faith which can and should be examined and discussed in order for us to grow. It is when we become intolerant of the minor differences we have with others that we border on legalism and pride. Let’s join hands with our brothers and sisters in Christ to seek unity of the body.
Believers Armed and Dangerous 