Our nation’s political scenery is very polarized. I have not lived in a time in which everyone agreed on the all the important issues facing society or even the world. However, civility used to be an expected feature of political debate.
Today, our expectations from our politicians are pretty low. Sadly, most of the disagreements are characterized by accusations, name-calling, or misrepresentation of opposing views.
We are also living in a time in which the church has less influence on the world than the world has on the church.
It is in this environment that we must be alert to the attempts on church peace that the ‘enemy’ desires to inflict. We are not always going to agree on everything, but we must practice self-control on being accessible and agreeable in our demeanor with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
We are to be ready to ‘do battle’, but this is for the face-offs with the enemies of God, not with those of the household of faith.
How does a church approach issues in which we disagree? First we must be given to prayer. Second, we must review every disagreement in the light of Holy Scripture. Third, we must accord one another the right to see things differently in a spirit of love.
However, this does not mean that we are to allow clearly unbiblical or ungodly positions to hold equal position with clearly presented teachings of the Word of God.
Some things are simply and clearly wrong. Allowing disagreement will center more on process than it will on principle.
We must be faithful to hold together on morals, principles, or convictions. Opinions, preferences, or mores can be up for discussion. But the truths of the Word of God must always stand.
Even when we disagree on principles, morals or convictions, we can still display the love of Christ.
I remain grateful to serve with you!
Bro. Wayne
