On matters of disagreement, I am not responsible for your spiritual life, and you are not responsible for my spiritual life.
You are responsible to focus on yours, and I am responsible to focus on mine.
If we differ to the point where we cannot peaceably work together, we can peaceably go our separate ways, and continue to work for God, just like Paul and Barnabas.
Differences will arise. Discussion (NOT debates) over differences can be beneficial, but without both parties being open in discussing differences peaceably, there will be no benefit.
This is something I’m working on and realizing.
Most of the time, we would do well to remember there is a bigger battle raging.
The problem comes in that many of us, even me, were taught to be combative towards others in the defense of our beliefs.
Thing is that, at least within Baptist circles, and probably conservative Christian circles as well, we hold to individual soul liberty, which leads to us having an absolute multiplicity of beliefs because of how independent and autonomous our church structures are.
This is not to say that this structure isn’t Biblical, but rather to point out a reality.
Terms like Fundamentalist and conservative, or as I’ve written before, “Biblical Christianity” don’t hold any real defined meaning anymore within our ranks.
What is conservative to you is liberal to another.
What is a fundamental of the faith to one fundamentalist is a non-essential to another.
What is Biblical to one person is extrabiblical/unbiblical to another.
You see where this is going.
So we have lots of different views, and then because we are taught to be combative in defense of our views we fight one another.
This is why we can have an extremely conservative music creator tear down a gospel preacher’s associated church for having CCM music on their new CDs.
This is why we have internal fighting in our churches.
This is why we don’t think twice about shouting someone down rather than giving a chance to hear them out.
This is why we can sit in our echo chambers of people who agree with us and believe whatever it is that they say, not once seeking to verify it.
Listening to views different to your own is not compromising or surrendering to your principles.
It simply gives you perspective.
And before you think I’m thinking on one particular issue, let me stop you.
This is bigger than any example I have given.
The world is on its way to Hell and the reason it mocks us to the extent that it does is because we as Christians cannot get our act together and put down our weapons for 5 minutes and realize that there is something bigger at stake than whatever has triggered you this morning on social media.
If you don’t agree, walk away, and keep doing what you believe God is leading you to do.
However, it is good to realize there can be unity without uniformity. It’s called Jesus Christ.
This is for everyone, not just those who have disagreed with me on previous issues.
I don’t know everything nor do I claim to.
This I know, that Jesus came into this world to save sinners, and we are to be like Jesus.
Jesus spent His life finding people who needed Him.
Hold your beliefs. I’m not saying surrender them. God has convicted you of them and those are what you should hold to.
Simply recognize that fighting others isn’t worth it in the grand scheme of things.
“Anger makes both sides dig in. Love breaks down walls.
Anger seeks to win a battle. Love seeks peace in conflict.
Anger divides. Love unites.
Truth without love is contention.
Love without truth is compromise.
Truth with love is Christlike.”