Emotions aside, we examine the recent “Stay at Home” orders issued by Governors and county Judges nation wide. Do they even have the power to order you to do so? Are they constitutional? Are they even ethical and moral? Continue reading
The Supreme Court uses logical tests to determine if something meets a certain standard. We The People, should do the same. This test, anyone can apply to any sort of policy, order, or legislation tests it’s support or opposition to freedom, and expands or contracts freedoms, for all or some people. Continue reading
10 Steps to Refresh the Tree of Liberty. COVID-19 did us a favor. It exposed the power hungry tyrants all over the country that are more risky than a contagious flu-like virus with an average 0.66% mortality rate. Power hungry tyrant governments have killed more of its own citizens than the Coronavirus could ever dream of. But, it also revealed how FEW true freedom loving people there really are. It did however separate the few from the fakes. Now, its time to begin networking with the few and become many. Continue reading
All you freedom loving ‘muricans are all over the place complaining about something or another, and the amount of complaining is becoming more and more. If you haven’t got it by now, the politicians don’t really care what you have to say. If you haven’t noticed by now, the systems they put in place, doesn’t help you. You praise Law Enforcement, yet, they are the ones enforcing unjust laws. You praise the Military, but they are the ones fighting for freedom in other countries. You re-elect political representatives that just bow to the party leadership and not YOUR will, The People. And all you do is sit and complain. You claim to stand for freedom BUT you allow for the opposite. Thomas Jefferson said “I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery“. If your going to waive the “Don’t Tread on Me” flag, be willing to act! Lets look at the modern reality. Its embarrassing at this point, but we can take notes from the French now… Continue reading
There are two ways to view oppression and persecution; (1) as being a victim and the negative societal effect or (2) as a righteous opportunity with positive eternal effects. But how do we properly see oppression and persecution through the eyes of God? We must take to heart what Jesus spoke and believe it, trust it, and apply it. Are you an oppressed victim or a victorious servant? Does how you handle oppression bring God glory? Is he pleased with how you live under oppression? We need to look at what Christ Jesus reveals to know and see how oppression can be turned on it head. How oppression can be a blessing and privilege in the life of a Christian.
Jesus’ Absolute Warning
Jesus gave us a heads up when it comes to living out your faith and proclaiming the gospel. “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33). Is Jesus a liar? Did he say you may experience hardship? No, he said, with an absolute, you WILL have trouble. In John 15:18-23 Jesus states “If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you...If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you….The one who hates Me also hates My Father.“ Jesus, God, makes it clear, the world (all those who have not in Christ) does hate you. Sorry, you can’t appease everything no matter how hard you try. This form of hate can be in various ways. And did they persecute Jesus? Yes. Therefore, they (those who are not in Christ) WILL persecute you. Again, the persecution can come in various ways. Hate can be disguised to seem nice and ‘good’. It can be in form of government systems or individual feelings. It can be disguised as help and assistance when in fact it is subtle oppression through economic slavery. But, no matter what, if you are IN Christ, you WILL be hated and persecuted. If you are not, are you faithfully and obediently following Christ and called out of the world, or does the world love you as their own still (John 15:19; Romans 1:32)? Guess what, you may fight for generations to become freed from government and societal oppression; but, you will still have oppression in the world.
In the Face of Hate, Oppression, and Persecution.
Being hated, oppressed and persecuted is meant to break you down and control you physically and mentally. It demoralizes and dehumanizes. It devalues the individual mentally and physically. It attempts to force a dominance of the oppressor over the oppressed. But, Jesus, flips the table (literally and metaphorically). The Sermon on The Mount is THE go-to sermon for all those who experience hate, oppression, and persecution.
The poor in spirit, are those who have been broken down by hate, oppression, and persecution. Their self worth is devalued, their hope is struggling, and their will to continue on is jeopardized. Jesus declares, that they are vastly worthy, their hope is greater than anything of this world, and the will to continue is taken away from things of this world and placed at the feet of God Almighty (Matthew 5:3).
Those who mourn, are those who have lost everything. Their worldly freedoms, possessions, even family members and friends taken away by the oppressors. The sense of freedom, individuality, and value ripped from them unjustly. They mourn for their losses. But Jesus declares that they WILL be comforted, by God Almighty (Matthew 5:4).
The gentle are taken advantage of. They are used and abused by the oppressors. They lose out on worldly success, material gains, and relationships that could foster protections and societal growth. Yet, Jesus declares they WILL inherit the earth. How? Jesus, himself, will subdue the oppressors and deliver justice (Matthew 5:5).
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness hunger and thirst because they struggle with revenge and the natural desire to seek their own justice on the oppressors. They know, their own justice is not sufficient and their own revenge would not truly satisfy or be justified, so they hunger and thirst for something greater- true divine justice and rightness. Jesus declares that they WILL be filled through the work of Christ Jesus (Matthew 5:6).
The merciful are blessed. The fact that they show mercy to the unjust deeds of the oppressor already reveals they have the inherent sense of the Godly nature of Mercy. Thus, they show mercy because they know it is more right than to not be merciful and seek to punish the oppressors. It is because they show mercy, they will be shown mercy from God. The oppressor on the other hand, who is not merciful in their oppression, will not be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7).
The pure in heart are blessed. They are those who recognize the inner rightness of God’s Law. They exhibit, in their heart, characteristics of God himself; Selflessness, love, forgiveness, mercy, kindness, seek goodness, truth and honesty; in the midst of being oppressed. Because they are self aware of these, they can more clearly see God himself. Thus, they are rewarded with the greatest of these, they WILL see God. In some way they “are” already blessed, they see the characteristics of God (Matthew 5:7).
The peacemakers are blessed. They seek peace in the face of injustice. At times, they even willingly submit to the oppression just to maintain peace. These are not those who are already at peace but they are peacemakers. Their efforts to seek peace is why they are already blessed. They overcome evil with good. But this is even true for those who were the oppressor, who then, breaks away to seek peace and not oppression. All those who seek peace are declared children of God because they share in Christs passion for reconciliation (Matthew 5:8).
To sum it all up, those who are persecuted for righteousness are blessed. Righteousness is found in all those above. The humble, the sinner who knows he is a sinner and needs a savior, the gentle, those who desire righteousness, who are merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers. The truest form of these is found in Christ Jesus and that is why they will inherit the kingdom of God (Matthew 5:9).
Those who are insulted and persecuted for their unwavering open faith in Christ, are blessed. The hateful, oppressive, persecutors will stop at nothing. They will make up lies about the faithful. Distort, manipulate, misquote, vilify, slander, and unjustly judge. But, despite all that WILL happen, Jesus declares to “be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven” (Matthew 5:11).
True Freedom while hated, oppressed, and persecuted
Faith in Christ Jesus is TRUE freedom. But how so, if those who have faith in Christ are hated, oppressed and persecuted still? Being free in Christ means you are not a slave to the mind set and sinfulness that lead people to become hateful, oppressive and persecute. We are given the ability to not fall into that sinfulness, and if we do, we are empowered to be freed from it. Not only free from that slavery, but also free to exhibit characteristics that rise above it. Mercy, forgiveness, grace, selfless sacrificial love, and kindness are Godly attributes that can not be taken away by haters, oppressors, and persecutors. They have NO power to stop you from being merciful. They can not stop you from forgiving them. They can not stop you from showing them grace and kindness. They have no power to stop you from being selfless. You are free (John 8:36). And THAT is the blessing and privilege of being hated, oppressed, and persecuted! How so?
Haters, Oppressors, and Persecutors are Actually Slaves.
Those who are haters, oppressors, and persecutors are this way due to their slavery to their sin. To the sinful desires of their heart. They are blind and in bondage to their sin. Thus, the sin in the heart is manifested in their hatefulness, oppression, and persecution. In reality, they are the ones actually oppressed by their sin because they know no other way and without Christ are powerless to resist their sinful desires. They are bound by the Law of Sin and not by the Law of Life which is only found in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2). This is the truth, and it is knowing and believing this truth is what sets people free (John 8:32).
The Privilege
Being hated, oppressed, and persecuted in this world the becomes a greater opportunity to magnify the attributes of God and serve God through it. We bring glory to God when we bless the oppressors and pray for those who persecute us. An opportunity that we would not get other wise. Paul states “Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. 13 Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:11-15). Jesus even declares “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may show yourselves to be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:44-45). In the face of evil and unrighteousness, hatred, oppression, and persecution; the children of God, who are in Christ, are given the unique opportunity and ultimately the privilege to not only glorify God in that oppression but also worship God through it. An opportunity that no one else gets. The faithful who are not oppressed do not get that opportunity. The worldly who are oppressed by their sin, don’t get it either. In some ways, it is even a test and judgement.
Your Right of Freedom From Oppression?
It is a privileged not to be oppressed. We are all sinners and are not worthy in our own merit to be delivered from oppression. Paul states “For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong” (Romans 13:6). God declares “By me kings reign” (Proverbs 8:15) and “the Most High has power over human kingdoms. He gives them to whomever he wishes” (Daniel 4:17). God may not even approve of the rules that mankind desires, but he still allows them to rule as judgement over the people (Hosea 8:4). We can even look at Egypt where God judged Egypt by hardening the heart of Pharaoh (Exodus 9:12). God guides the hearts of rulers and leaders for his will and purpose (Proverbs 21:1). When a government becomes oppressive, it is because God allowed it for his judgement. Not necessarily a judgement on God’s people in that nation or region, but over those who approve and support the evil of that government. They are handed over to their sin (Romans 1:24). It is not God’s people who suffer because in reality, they are free in Christ and already have the great reward waiting for them. Jesus even tells us “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). But because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and all have fallen into sin (Romans 3:23), and no one is good (Psalm 14:1-3; Psalm 53:3; Romans 3:10-12), who are we to demand some kind of right of freedom from oppression? (Isaiah 64:8; Romans 9:20). This is only reserved for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:2), given as a gift from God alone (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:34, 6:23). Freedom from spiritual and worldly oppression is a gift from God- not a right.
As made known in the first paragraph, Jesus makes it clear, that oppression WILL happen and looking at the lives of the Prophets, Apostles, and the early church; freedom from the worldly oppression is far from a right we can demand. Does God deliver people from oppression, in the worldly sense? Yes, but it is only at the will of God for his purpose and is not a right for use to demand. Instead, we are to “Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). We are even called to “count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds...Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:2, 12). Thus, we are called, in Christ, to rejoice, pray, and give thanks all while being oppressed.
Should we call on God to bring about justice and free the oppressed from worldly oppression? Yes, it is a duty within the church to defend the oppressed and seek justice. But we must also, at the same time, remain Christ-like, eternally focused, and remind ourselves that we have something greater waiting for us in heaven, greater than a freedom from worldly oppression. Our more important mission is to proclaim the gospel to free the spiritually oppressed and this, will lead to freedom of systematic worldly oppression because it alone changes the hearts and minds of the culture. Changes in systems and public policy is a result of changed hearts and minds- from proclaiming the gospel, while under the systems and polices that are oppressive.
The blessing and privilege of oppression magnifies the gospel message and the attributes of God shining even brighter through those who exhibit them in the face of hate, oppression, and persecution. Not all Christians have the honor to exhibit this intense mature faith- but all should seek and desire it. When exhibited, they are the undeniable salt in the world and the brightest light that exposes the evils of oppression in a more clear way. This transforms cultures and nations, governments and public policies. It brings undeniable honor and glory to God and projects the righteousness of Jesus Christ for all the world to more clearly see. And that is a blessing and privilege to be chosen by God to participate in his plan of that magnitude.
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Knowing God can be trusted and actually trusting God are two different things. One is just simple knowledge, the other is the application of the knowledge. One is easier than the other. But also our understanding of who God is helps us be able to actually trust him. We can have no worries about the unknown future, results, and have peace with Joy; all from actually trusting God.
The Knowledge of the Trustworthiness of God
We can know for an absolute fact God can be trusted. Isaiah 26:4 makes this clear: “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal“. Forever and eternal are things that never end and never fail. Thus, his will never ends and never fails making him the most trustworthy being in all reality. Jeremiah 17:5-8 is the best on this topic:
7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
Trusting the will of the flesh (including yourself) and in other people is unreliable. “When” problems come, which they will, trusting in someone or something other than God leads people away from God AND the WILL eventually fail. BUT trusting in God, when problems come, is the absolute assurance that there is nothing to worry about in the face of trouble. That God’s will and light WILL shine through those who trust God in the mist of their problems. The key is being content with God’s will.
The Holy Spirit declares through Paul that in everything God has planned and does for those who have faith in him will AWAYS result in goodness and the eternal benefit for those who believe (Romans 8:28). BUT this is where modern charismatic and prosperity teachers twist scripture. One of the hard lessons that we need to accept is that the eternal benefit and goodness may be simply knowing God and receiving the gift of eternal life and not material gain or good health. But, eternal life and knowing God is eternally greater than any amount of wealth or good health in this life. This contentment only found in accepting and trusting God’s will reveals a lot about our own hearts. Do we actually trust that God is good, or do we feel our wants and desires are more good?
Unchanging
Another characteristic of God that makes him absolutely trustworthy is the fact he does not change. He has the absolute greatest and best plan from before creation and this plan does not change, it does not need to; it is the best possible plan. He is the source of all knowledge and sits outside of time allowing him to see all of time. He has knowledge of all time before creation of time. Thus, he knows the most beneficial result and goodness for each believer before they were created. He knows more than us, sees more than us, and understands what is good far greater than us. If God would go back on his plans and change is mind than he would not be trustworthy. You may trust in God’s plan at one moment and then God changes his mind at the next moment. That would make him unreliable, inconsistent, and untrustworthy. Mal 3:6 God declares “For I the Lord do not change”. So, if he does change… than he would be a liar too.
Applying The Knowledge of Trust
God wants us to take acts in faith. Just sitting around telling people you believe in God is no different than demons having the knowledge of God’s existence (James 2:19). Trusting God is not passive but is active. James beats it in our heads that faith and trusting God WILL compel us to living out that trust and faith (James 2:29). The title of the chapter says it all “faith without works is dead”. What is the work in this context?
We set forth plans and take steps of action for the purpose of loving God and our neighbor with God’s Glory as the ultimate goal. God may close doors or lead us in a different direction causing us to adjust our plans. It is trusting God in the unknown and accepting ANY kind of result from our efforts.
The Unknown Future
We do not know the outcomes of our plans. We can assume, research statistics, and make seemingly reliable calculated decisions but God is God. We may have the greatest Gospel presentation memorized to perfection, plan the optimal date, time, and place to meet with the most open seeking person and then boom; our car breaks down. We may weight the pros and cons of a job move and feel like we have made the best decision for our future and boom government action hurts the business and they freeze hiring. But, with the broken down car and undesired job situation; it happened for the reason that only God knows and foresees; and we can trust that the future end result is perfect and good even though our small brains can not understand.
Flexibility Is Acceptance
Even the Apostles had to remain flexible in their plans to spread the Gospel and grow the church. Paul wanted to travel the world and plant churches everywhere, yet, it was God’s will for him to sit in Jail; but little did he know, he would evangelize the guards and convert even members of Nero’s family, from jail! He didn’t see that coming. Paul understood this Flexible Planning for God’s Will. Acts 16:6-7 makes this clear: “Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to” Paul planned one thing, The Holy Spirit had another plan, a greater plan. Remaining flexible is us accepting the fact that God’s Will is greater than our own and allowing us to continually conform to what ever God has planned. God’ doesn’t change, we do, for him.
The Results
The last part of applying the knowledge of God’s Trustworthiness is leaving the results up to him. We can willingly do this because we TRUST that they will be good no matter what the initial apparent result looks like. If, on our way to give a the perfect gospel presentation to a seeking friend and our car breaks down, we can then get a ride and still meet up with that person. Then, lets say we gave that perfect gospel presentation and our seeking friend just says “cool, but I don’t believe it”. Then what? We leave that to God. There are an infinite amount of possibilities that WILL lead to eternal good and God’s greatness; just that at that moment like we had hoped. We can trust that even though we do not get the desired results at that moment, that God is trustworthy in his ultimate Goodness. The results may never be seen by us. The results may even be our hearts being changed in a greater understanding of God and his Glory. Whatever, and whenever the results take place; they WILL be good, because God is Good; and THAT we CAN absolutely trust in.
Overall Actualized Trust
Notice that PRAYER is extremely important. It does not ‘change’ God’s mind but it conforms YOUR heart to what ever His Will is and will be. It keeps us focused on the sovereignty of God and supports our trust in him at the task in hand.
Deny Your Self
In order for us to allow ourselves to trust God fully, we must denounce our wants and desires. We must be willing to give ourselves up for God’s Will and his Glory. Choosing to take a more difficult job or a job with less pay for God’s Glory takes a lot of self-denial. Having to confront a close christian friend about sin they are living in takes a lot of trust that God will restore them. Even the seemingly easy decision to sell an super expensive exotic car because of our sinful hearts the car is negatively influencing is a tough decision with God’s Glory in mind.
Once we empty ourselves and deny our selfish prideful wills; the ability to be flexible and accepting of what ever God’s plan is becomes easier and we become more content in our faith.
At the end of it all, God’s Will will be done no matter what. Actually trusting God brings us peace with this and allows us to experience Joy in this life no matter the goals and results of our plans. We can have peace and joy during the hardest times! We can have peace and joy in the mist of hardship and hatred! We can trust God that all things will result for good; in the mist of trials and problems! Actually trusting God brings him his due glory, honor, praise for all eternity and He gives us peace and joy in this life!
There are some things in the Christian faith that are essential absolute truths; such as Jesus is the One and Only begotten Son of God who is also Lord God and Savior. Another is that we are saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ. But there are some matters that are of a relative nature; what food we eat, the day we worship, what we wear to church, what kind of church music is played, having a beer, and getting a tattoo. Those are examples Disputable Matters.
Disputable Matters:
They are issues and topics that are not explicitly prohibited or declared in scripture that gives to some reasonable liberties in the Christian faith. Keeping in mind that Jesus has fulfilled the law and freed us from it. We are enabled to glorify God in more freeing ways within what he has made explicit known. Ultimately Disputable Matters are those issues that do not change or negatively effect The Gospel Message or tries to make sin not a sin. The End times for example is not completely explicit in scripture and differing opinions do not change or effect the Gospel Message. Therefore it is perfectly fine to agree to disagree and still remain unified and proclaim the gospel to the world.
Also read God’s Truths are Not a Matter of Opinions | Your Feelings Do Not Determine Truth
Servants and Master
We are all servants of One Master. We do not decide for the Master how he feels about matters he made no statement on. Though the Master may have laid out universal truths, his expectations, and expressed things that he finds pleasing; he alone has the sole authority to decide how to judge his servants (Romans 14:4). This however does not negate our righteous judgements when we call other servants to conform to what The Master has explicitly decided. In Romans 14 context, The Holy Spirit, through Paul, was talking about the kind of judgment between believers, and not between believers and unbelievers; and specifically in regards to Disputable Matters; not matters of absolute universal truth.
Also read Don’t Judge Me
When to Judge and when to Agree to Disagree
It may seem that Paul contradicts himself in 1 Corinthians 5 and Romans 14 but when you look at what he is talking about specifically you begin to understand the difference. One is about matters that our Master has explicitly universally condemned. The other (Romans 14) is about matters our Master did NOT explicitly condemn. Our righteous judgements are in agreement with what the Master has declared, but we are wrong to judge on matters that Master did not make clear. The Master has awarded liberty, and by our wrongful judgements, we put up stumbling blocks.
Anyone who feels abstaining from eating mean is how they worship God; they must be accepted as so. (Romans 14:3). They are not in the wrong for wanting to eat meat or being a vegetarian. It is wrong when one condemns the other. Matthew 15:11, Jesus even states it is not food that is the problem.
Also read God and Vegetarianism
Some feel Sunday is the day of worship, others feel Saturday is, and yet others feel every day is (Romans 14:5). Regardless of the specific day anyone chooses, it is a secondary issue and a disputable matter. In fact, Paul says not to even judge people based on the day they worship (Col. 2:16-17).
No where in scripture does God condemn drinking alcohol. But getting drunk is explicitly condemned. Jesus turned water into wine (not high quality grape juice) at a wedding. We are given the freedom to enjoy wine in light of giving thanks and glory to God (Ecclesiastes 9:7). Thus alcohol in and of itself is not sin. Just like everything else we can do it excessively, become addicted, and make into an idol. But simply having a beer with someone is not inherently sinful like adultery for example. Thus, we can not and should not judge it as such because we are not the Master. BUT, this goes without pointing out some real concerns we need to have for others. Some people have predispositions to alcoholism, or may be recovering alcoholics. If we love Christ, we love others more than ourselves. And leading someone to stumble is wrong (1 Corinthians 8:13; 10:32). Paul said he would not eat meat if it offend someone he was with. Their conscious was more important than his desire to eat a juicy cheese burger. If having a beer could lead someone to stumble, than it would be most loving not to have a beer.
Also read An Inconsiderate Faith | When the claim of Freedom is really Blind Pride
T shirt and blue jeans or Suit and tie? Neither was warn by the early church and neither was explicitly stated as the church dress code. It would be wrong to pressure people to feel like they need to dress up for church when God isn’t pressuring them to.
Whether you like classical hymns, guitar solos, or contemporary praise music; all of them were not sung until recent in history. Musical instruments were used before Christ, and after Christ so it would be wrongful to judge a church for using instruments. Same goes for the style of music. That logic fails when comparing their judgemental opinion to what Jesus and his Apostles sang. Instruments, no instruments, instrument type, and musical style are disputable matters.
Some Christians and churches are condemning the evangelistic strategy of placing children with their age groups and doing a separate church service away from the adult service. Again, scripture does not make an explicit statement about the matter of Kid Sunday school anywhere in scripture.
Tattoos were against God’s Law in the OT for symbolic cultural separation from the inhabitants in the Land they came into and for potential health complications. But Christ has fulfilled the law and he now separates us from the world and whatever we do (within our God allotted liberty), do it for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). But just like drinking, it too can become so extreme that it becomes our identity and idol instead of Christ. Once our tattoos interfere with glorifying God; it is sin. We must examine ourselves and know that our bodies are not our own but for God’s Glory (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).
Peace and Unity
We are commanded to not judge on disputable matters! We are commanded to receive and accept those who a different view on those matters. We MUST agree to disagree but remain in fellowship and love. If the discussion on a disputable matter escalates and seems to be come hostile, than it needs to be ended and forgiven. If the discussion is not leading someone into unity or closeness to Christ; it needs to be let go for the sake of peace and unity. Disagreement is OKAY, condemnation is NOT (1 Corinthians 11:19).
Much like the issue with having a beer. The conciseness’s of others supersedes our opinion of Disputable Matters. Because these issues are within the scope of freedom; loving others remains primary to these issues. If having a beer, eating meat, and wearing a gym shirt to church seriously offends people, then for the sake of their weakness and conscious with our selfless self sacrificial love for them; we have a beer, eat meat, and wear our gym shirts at a later time. Humility and self-sacrifice in disputable matters.
Only absolute truths RIGHTLY divide and stir up strife; but not because of anything we judge. We just declare these offensive absolute truths. It is the truth that causes the unrest, not us. Some people who claim to be saved are not and will ultimately reject universal truths and cause issues when they are rightly judged. Jesus’ statement here says it all:
Matthew 10:34-39
34 Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to turna man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
36 and a man’s enemies will be
the members of his household.37 The person who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; the person who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. 39 Anyone finding his life will lose it, and anyone losing his life because of Me will find it.
Also read The Other Side of The Real Jesus
The Master
On these issues, it does not matter if you agree or disagree; God has already accepted them, and you (Romans 14:3). Because they are God’s servant, God is their judge over their conscious, not you. We are called to test and search scripture, and not jump to a judgement on a matter that is not even decided in scripture. At times we need to discuss and debate scripture with Christ at the center. If the discussion and debate is unfruitful than it needs to be let go for the sake of unity. The Master wants each one of us to examine ourselves and learn of him in his Word for ourselves and live with a clear conscious for his glory. Though righteous judgements that are in agreement with what is explicitly started in scripture is good for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and edifying each other (2 Timothy 3:16); wrongfully judging others on disputable matters leads to unwarranted division, disunity, and creates stumbling blocks to those who are new in faith.
UNDISPUTABLE MATTERS:
These are essential truths of the faith. A denial of them is a contradiction of what is true.
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THE AMERICAN LIFE JOURNAL 