It is obvious that good people of all persuasions and backgrounds will inevitably disagree, thus making this the understatement of all time. Both human history and personal experience are replete with examples. We disagree on politics, economics, morals and education. Our tastes and dislikes are manifold when it comes to music, dress, sports, food, cars, and simple things like colors. There is no end to the premise about which I am writing. But we humans are the most volatile when it comes to the subject of religion. We are disparate and divided in our view of and discussions about God, and what we believe to be the written word of God. People go ballistic at the mention of religion.
It is most unfortunate that bloody wars, racism and prejudice emanate from our passions about “religion.” But for the purpose of this brief article, I must quickly narrow the scope of my discussion. Being a conservative Christian, my views will obviously focus upon born-again Christians. More specifically I will focus upon their disagreements when it comes to the interpretation of the Bible, relative to both doctrine and deportment. The Bible, God’s infallible word, will obviously be the basis for my views. To me, it is the final authority in all matters, now and eternity. It is God’s word that will be the basis for judgment when all mankind stands before Him in his holiness and purity (Rev 20:12).
Prov 22:21 says, “That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” God admonishes us in Jude 1:3 that we should ” . . .earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Someone once said that contention for the sake of contention is sin, but contention for the sake of truth is a divine mandate. There comes a time when Bible-believing Christians must give defense to the precious Word of God. The Biblical word “contend” means to agonize in the defense of. So allow me now to share with my readers some terms which should help us clear the air on what we should be “contentious” about, and by the same token, what we should not be contentious about.
Let me begin by first looking at a term we use called convictions. Convictions are based upon unquestionable Bible doctrine, and are backed up by what some call “proof texts.” Convictions are courtroom material. They are the certainties and confidences which form our strong, unwavering belief systems. There is no room for doubts and skepticism in convictions. Dr. Warren Wiersbe says this about convictions, “Convictions are the compasses of life – they keep us moving in the right direction. They are the foundation stones that help us stand firm when everything around us is shaking and changing.” To that I say ‘Amen and amen!’
I have learned as a student of Scripture that convictions usually come by convulsions, i.e., through pain, suffering, and heartaches. Convictions usually are birthed out of long hours of Bible study, and may be labeled as “breakthroughs” in our Christian growth. We are living in a time when doctrinal, moral, and ethical norms are being systematically attacked. This is not anything new, but it is rather intensified in these latter days.
I have learned from experience that there are certain convictions that should be settled early by the new believer. Some doctrines like Jesus’ virgin birth, his sinless life and vicarious death on the cross of Calvary. We must nail down what we believe about salvation, the Bible, the church and her ordinances, offices, and the Holy Spirit. These are things that must never be “voted on” as to whether they are truth or not. Some things are not optional equipment for the child of God. It is important to note that convictions are not what we hold: BUT our convictions hold us! A conviction is based on the eternal Word of God and will never change.
There is a vast difference in convictions and opinions. An opinion has been defined as “a belief stronger than impression, but less strong than positive knowledge.” Opinions are unlimited in their diversity. They are both easy to come by and easily changed. Opinions vary with experiences. For example, when we meet someone for the first time, we form an opinion of them. We generally like or dislike them. But after a closer or prolonged association with the person, our opinion of them often changes. We ofttimes misjudge people and later change our view of them. As I mentioned, opinions change like the wind, based upon our experiences. For example, we form opinions as to which airline is best, based on our dealings with them. The same principle applies to restaurants, physicians or name brands.
Opinions are questionable and debatable. They are as varied as people themselves. Opinions should never be the cause of division among people, nor should it be the sole basis for fellowship. Our opinions should never be used to determine the level of spirituality among fellow believers. We have often heard the axiom, that we should learn how to disagree without being disagreeable. While convictions are the stuff of which Bible interpretation is formed, our opinions really do not count when we come the Word of God! God’s word always supersedes our human opinions.
Next is the term, prejudice. Prejudice is different from convictions and opinions, in that it is “unwarranted discrimination.” This occurs when we form an opinion for or against something without adequate basis. Prejudice is a learned behavior. Children acquire their prejudices from their parents. I believe we all have been “tainted” in some way, in the realm of prejudice. We must spend a lifetime dealing with prejudice. We most often avoid examining our prejudices, because human pride is so afraid it will be proven wrong!
There is no room for bigotry, bias and impartiality in the family of God. Jesus died for all, and will save whoever will come to him in genuine repentance and faith. We are all born sinners, but the new birth changes our desires to those things that please God and honors his Son Jesus. Prejudice is unbiblical and dangerous. Prejudice always hampers spiritual progress and maturity. Thus far we have seen that convictions are unquestionable doctrine, opinions are unlimited in diversity and prejudice is unwarranted discrimination.
Finally, we all have personal tastes, which are unexplained desires. We all have individual preferences and personal selections based on desire. We simply like some things better than others. But our personal tastes must never supplant our convictions! Some of our basic desires are common, such as food, newspapers, preachers, clothes or colleges. For example, we all agree on what is commonly called Great Commission, if we believe the Bible. The church is commanded of God to take the message of the gospel to every person, but we do not all agree on how to get it done! Our ideas about mission programs vary greatly among denominations and local churches.
One example of this is found in Mark 9:38 . . . “And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.” But Jesus lovingly rebuked them by saying if someone was not against him, they were for Him! Whenever churches are without pastors, everyone has different tastes in what they would like to have in their new pastor. Some desire a young man, modern and contemporary in his thoughts. Some prefer the old-time, hard-hitting evangelistic style. Others like the expository methods of a pastor. All of this is personal taste. But we should leave this to God and let him send us who we need for our pastor. God knows who and what we need better that we know ourselves.
It is interesting how we there are things that we consider “old,” but actually they were once considered contemporary, wicked and heretical! We should NEVER compromise convictions based on Biblical doctrines. And we should also be careful that our opinions, prejudices, tastes do not bleed over and become confused with important Bible doctrines. Additionally, there should never be disunity over disagreement. The disciples were all different and sometimes disagreed, but overall, they usually had unity. Remember that when you and I disagree with someone, it should not result in a personal attack on them, nor should we construe their disagreement with us as so. Say, how do you see things? Through convictions or opinions? Prejudice or personal taste? How DO you see it?
I suggest we see things the way God sees them. His viewpoint is all that matters ultimately, and can only be found in the Bible, which IS His word.