Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
The subject of individual soul liberty, freedom of conscience, is a challenging one, to be sure.
On the one hand, we are to be fully persuaded in our own minds.[1] On the other hand, I am not to force my persuasions on another person.
On the one hand, I ought to be passionate and evangelistic in my convictions. On the other hand, I may not put a stumbling block in another’s path.[2]
On the one hand, I ought to receive others into my fellowship. On the other hand, I must not allow this fellowship to degenerate into doubtful disputations.[3]
I believe God’s answer for all of this is the local church. It is a place where souls of like mind assemble for mutual benefit and encouragement but where membership is restricted to those of like faith and practice. The local congregation is free to worship God according to the dictates of its own conscience. The same local congregation is free to allow other congregations the same liberty.
[1] Romans 14:5 (KJV)
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
[2] Romans 14:13 (KJV)
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
[3] This provides a clue towards good membership in a local church. No two people are going to agree about everything, every time. But in the context of our membership in a local church, we must not allow those disagreements to become disputations. Better to leave our opinion to ourselves than to allow those opinions to become a problem in the church GOD has placed us in.
To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
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