Convinced but not Critical 130127

Romans 14:5-13, One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

Last week we talked about diversity without division. It's sad to see the world we live in becoming so polarized. Obviously, Paul observed the same thing happening in his world. He had never been to Rome, but he had had many reports from Rome about the conditions in the church there. There was a conflict in the church over whether to eat meat or not. Now, we find that there was disagreement with regard to observing certain days. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, urges the church to accept all sides as brothers in the Lord. We will all give an account for ourselves to the Lord. That being true, we should not pass judgment on one another.

In our day, as in and theirs, there is a dispute over Saturday as the Sabbath. First, let me say that Saturday is the Sabbath. Sunday is the Lord's day! Saturday memorializes the old creation that fell, along with Adam and Eve when they rebelled against God.

Sunday is the first day of the week and as such memorializes the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week. Jesus appeared to the disciples on the first day of the week Jesus appeared inside the room to the eleven disciples eight days after the first day of the week. The Jewish way of measuring days meant that it was again Sunday. The Holy Spirit came on Pentecost, the first day of the week. The first sermon was preached by Peter on the first day of the week. Three thousand converts joined the church on the first day of the week. The three thousand were baptized on the first day of the week. The Christians assembled and broke bread on the first day of the week. The Christians at Troas also heard a message from Paul on the first day of the week. Paul instructed the churches to put aside contributions on the first day of the week. Jesus gave the apostle John the vision of Revelation on the first day of the week.

You can see from this list that I am convinced that the first day of the week — Sunday — is the proper day for Christian worship. I don't believe Sunday is a required day of rest but it should be put aside for worship and service to God. We must remember that no matter how convinced we are we must not be critical of those who disagree. We are to…

Judge not.

Jesus gave that command. Listen while I read Matthew 7:1-5, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.…"

Jesus very clearly said, "Judge not, that you be not judged." He was not talking about an observation made about something happening in another person's life. He was talking about being judgmental. Attributing an inner motive to a person is something we should not, and in reality cannot, do. I can only know what I see with my eyes and hear with my ears. We must remember, "There but for the grace of God go I". There must've been some real chuckles in Jesus' crowd when they heard him give the comparison of trying to pick the speck out of your brother's eye while having a log in your own. Obviously it's not possible to have a real log in your eye but our fault could be as large as a log compared to a speck.

So we are to first put our own house in order before trying to correct another. Not only did Jesus make this statement, or command, but…

James restated the command. Listen while I read James 5:9, Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

I think it's interesting that James uses the term "grumble" instead of "judge". But he completes his statement the same as Jesus did, "so that you may not be judged". And then James adds to Jesus' command, "behold, the Judge is standing at the door." We will see in a few moments that we have no right to judge others because the only true judge is God himself. What we say is affected by how we say it and what our body language is. You see, our…

Attitude is very important. The way we present ourselves and our tone of voice is a great deal to do with whether we are being judgmental or not. One problem that we have, when it is absolutely necessary to correct another brother, is that we wait until the pressure builds to a point that we can't hold it back. Then we explode, or at least our voice rises and perhaps breaks a little. Then, what could have been good advice becomes a stern lecture that causes the recipient to become defensive. The response often causes the counselor to become more judgmental. It is very important that we be convinced in our own mind concerning matters of disagreement. However, it is possible to disagree agreeably. Our attitude in correcting a brother or sister in the Lord must always be carefully measured. We must…

Be fully convinced but not critical.

In everything we are to honor God. Let's look at what Paul said to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 10:28-33, But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

Now we're back to the subject of meat. This passage makes it clearer than our Romans' passage. In first century Corinth, apparently, meat sold in the marketplace might have been offered in sacrifice to a pagan idol. Paul instructs the church to take a, "don't ask, don't tell" attitude. However, if someone points out that the meat was offered in sacrifice to a pagan idol then they are instructed not to eat it. Not because it would have any effect on the eater but because it might be construed by the person who pointed out the origin of the meat as honoring the pagan idol and his conscience be affected.

Earlier, in First Corinthians Paul had said that he was free to do as he chose but, in the hopes of winning others to the gospel, he would submit himself to others. To the Jews, he lived like a Jew in order to win Jews. If they were bound by the law, he would submit himself to it so that he could win those who were bound by the law, etc.. He said that he became all things to all men, that by all means he might win some.

Now he tells us that whatever we do we are to do it to the glory of God and we are to make every effort to offend no one unnecessarily for the sake of the gospel. We are to approach everything…

With Christ's mind. It is important that we agree, not so much with each other, but with Christ. Listen while I read the magnificent words Paul wrote in Philippians 2:1-8, So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

We are to be in agreement with the mind of Christ. Disagreement with our brother or sister in the Lord always leads to inner turmoil on both sides. That may well be the way the world operates but it should not be the way the church operates. We are continually instructed in Scripture to love one another, to support and encourage one another and to strengthen one another.

Jesus humbled himself by becoming a man, walking on earth among men, bearing our sins on the cross and being buried. The consequence of that, praise God, is that he was raised from the dead giving us victory over death and hell when we put our faith in him.

If he could humble himself in that way then we certainly can humble ourselves before those we disagree with. We have a responsibility to carry the gospel that is much more important than winning the argument. We need to have the mind of Christ …

And His attitude. Let me show you three examples from the gospel of Matthew first: Matthew 9:36, Jesus had been traveling around the country and had been teaching, proclaiming the gospel and healing the sick. Then, When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

We have a picture of the creator of the universe walking among men looking at their condition seeing that they were like sheep without a shepherd, harassed and helpless. Instead of looking upon them with a superior attitude of disgust he felt compassion for them. Sometimes we might hear someone say, "I feel your pain", and sometimes they really mean it. But sometimes it's just something to say. Jesus really felt the pain of the people.

Jesus could hardly escape the people as he traveled. In Matthew 14:14, we find him traveling by boat only to have the crowds hurry around the shore to meet him when he arrived. Matthew tells us, When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Again we find Jesus confronted by many needs. Instead of throwing up his hands and saying, "I can't get away from them!", He had compassion on them and healed the sick.

Another time, recorded by Matthew is found in chapter 15 verse 32. Again he had been teaching and healing and a great crowd had gathered. He called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”

Then he sat them down, took seven loaves of bread and a few small fish and fed 4000 men besides women and children. Jesus had compassion on the crowd! How much more today does he have compassion on a world of 7 billion people many of whom have never heard the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. And at the same time they are harassed and helpless, hungry, sick and tired.

We need to be fully convinced of our position but we are to have a non-critical attitude. That is the example given to us by Jesus. Too often Christians spend their time grumbling at one another while the world literally is going to hell! We must remember that…

Judgment belongs to God.

Jesus, as man, deferred to the Father. I give you two examples from the gospel John. First, John 5:30, here Jesus has been teaching his disciples about the authority he has as the son of God. Listen while I read, “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. …"

Jesus had just before this said that ultimately judgment will be in his hands. He is to be treated with the same honor as we treat the Father. Yet, while he was on earth, he clearly states (at least twice) that he could do nothing on his own. He can only do the will of the one who sent him. He deferred judgment to the Father while he was on earth. We must have the same attitude as Jesus did. We must defer judgment to God.

A little while later Jesus, knowing that he was near the end, continued to teach his disciples. Listen while I read from…

John 12:47-49, If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.

Jesus very clearly taught that he did not come to judge but to save. While he was on earth he deferred all judgment to the Father.

There is coming a time when he will return to judge. But while he was on earth that was not his purpose. Folks, if it wasn't Jesus' purpose to judge, it certainly isn't our purpose to judge one another.

Remember, Each of us will answer to God. Listen while I read from the last book of the Bible, Revelation 20:11-15 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

"Books were opened". There are books in the world to come that will be the source of judgment. In the vision that John saw everyone was brought before a great white throne. Everyone was judged by what was written in the books! Folks, if we are to be judged by what is written in the books we are in a lot of trouble! You see Scripture leaves no room for debate. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and, the wages of sin is death! When the books are opened our condemnation would be sure except for one thing. There is "another book" called the book of life. Praise God! He has another book! This book is mentioned at least twice before in Revelation as having been written before the foundation of the world. God knew who would be his before he created the earth. He wrote their names in a book to be opened at the end of the age!

Jesus told a parable about a man who planted good seed and afterward an enemy sowed weed seed in the same field. When the weeds came up along with the wheat the field hands wanted to know if they should try to pull the weeds up. The master said that they should not because the division would be made at the harvest. The field is the world. The good seed are God's people and the weeds are planted by the enemy. Judgment will come at the end of the age — the harvest! Are you ready for the harvest? If not come to Jesus for salvation. If you feel a desire to be saved from the judgment to come he will not turn you away!

We're not to judge. We are to be fully convinced but not critical because judgment belongs to God.

It is an easy matter to slip into a critical attitude. In fact it is very common among Christians to be critical of one another. It seems as though, having become convinced of a particular position, we believe that everyone must agree with us. Remember on the playground as a child how important it was for the other kid to agree with you. It was as though their disagreement somehow made our whole idea come into question. And so the argument usually devolved into, "Did so", "Did Not", "Did so", "Did Not", etc.. Well, our attitude should be the same as that of the apostle Paul, "Having become a man I put away childish things." Let's encourage one another to grow up and be mature in the faith. The most important thing is Jesus Christ and him crucified, buried and raised again! Have you put your trust in him? Has he called you?

All scripture quotes from:The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Diversity Without Division 130120

Romans 14:1-4, As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

One of the greatest problems with the church today is poor management of diverse opinions. A friend of mine used to say, "Opinions are like noses, everybody has at least one." And often opinions are based on something less than fact. Everyone in the church has a variety of opinions about a variety of subjects. How can we make it so that everyone can hold their opinions without quarreling? The apostle brings this subject up at least three more times in his writings. Here, he uses the example of people who hold a very strong opinion about eating meat, or not. Not for the health reasons given today but for spiritual reasons. After all, the meat may have been part of a sacrifice to a pagan god. How can we deal with differences of opinion in the church today?

Our differences would fall into different categories than in the days of Paul. Today, when you go into the market, you're not looking at meat that was originally part of a sacrifice to a pagan idol. Instead, our differences of opinion are more along the lines of how one should dress at church. Or, whether there should be chairs or pews. We might disagree over whether, or not, videos should be shown in the church, or, whether food should be eaten in the same room where we worship. The list could go on and I'm sure you can think of some things to add to it. But none of these things are central to our faith. They're all peripheral not essential. Sometimes these differences lead to serious consequences and would be "funny" if they were not so sad. One example, posted in 2007, goes like this:

GREELEY - A little Jewish praise word caused a lot of controversy as a Colorado church, divided over the proper spelling of 'hallelujah, ' split up and re-formed as separate congregations.
The problem arose when the board of elders at Full Gospel Temple budgeted money for a praise banner to hang from the sanctuary ceiling bearing the word "hallelujah, " or "alleluia." One faction insisted the word be spelled the first way, while the other wouldn't budge from the second way. Petitions were drawn up, rallies held and late-night threats received by both sides. One man, an "alleluia" supporter, was nearly clobbered by a rock that came through his window. The rock bore a note that said, simply, "hallelujah! "
Both sides were adamant that since they had grown up with a particular spelling, theirs was correct.
"It makes a tremendous difference, when you open your eyes and see it there on the banner spelled wrong," said a hallelujah supporter. "It's so jarring to see it without the 'h' at the beginning. Nobody spells it that way anymore."
"I was so sick about it I couldn't sleep," said one woman, an equally ardent 'alleluia' supporter who carried a sign during a recent day of picketing. "To think some people spell this wonderful word with a 'j' in it. It's not something where I question their salvation, but at times you have to wonder."
The two churches now meet in separate school auditoriums, and each has fashioned a banner to suit its own preference. Worship, says one parishioner, is "much better now." .

How do we, or any church, avoid that kind of disagreement? Well, first of all…

The strong should be patient with those who are weak.

When a person stumbles into sin. We should not be quick to condemn. Listen while I read Paul's words to the Galatians 6:1-4, Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.

"Caught in any transgression" is a phrase that causes the mind to begin a process of trying to determine what that means. As with all Scripture, it means what it says. Paul is not talking about particular transgressions, or sins, he is talking about ANY transgression. When we see someone fall into sin we should approach them with gentleness. We need to add to our vocabulary the sentence, "There, but for the grace of God, go I."

You see, under similar circumstances we might have, let me emphasize "might have", done something similar — or even worse! We should be slow to speak and quick to listen. That is why, someone said, God gave us two ears and only one mouth. Now I realize some people give the impression that they may have more than one mouth. But they don't.

With gentleness. and careful conversation. correct a person who has gone astray.

Be merciful when others doubt. Listen to what Jude had to say about this topic, Jude 22-23, And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Obviously, the Church has had problems with people who struggle in immature faith. When we look on someone who has doubts we should be merciful and patient. After all, those men who had been closest to Jesus often struggled with doubt.

Matthew tells us, at the very end of his gospel, they worshiped him, but some doubted! Think about it! These men had walked with him for the greater part of three years. They had seen him heal the sick, cast out demons, raise the dead, feed 5000 men (besides women and children) with five loaves and two fish. They had seen him walk on the water and calm the storm. And after all that, "some doubted"!

If that could happen to them then we should be very gentle with someone today who struggles with doubt. We should likewise be patient with ourselves when doubts arise.

Jonathan Oatman, Jr. penned these words more than 100 years ago (449 in our hymnal) just the first two verses.

I'm pressing on the upward way, new heights I'm gaining every day; still praying as I onward bound, "Lord, plant my feet on higher ground." Lord, lift me up and let me stand, by faith, on heaven's tableland, a higher plane than I have found; Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

My heart has no desire to stay where doubts arise and fears dismay; though some may dwell where these abound, my prayer, my aim is higher ground. Lord, lift me up and let me stand, by faith, on heaven's tableland, a higher plane than I have found; Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

That old hymn should characterize our attitude about doubts and fears. We should wish for our brothers and sisters, as well as for ourselves, a life without doubt and fear with our feet firmly planted on heaven's tableland.

Instead of condemning, discouraging and shunning those who are in trouble we should…

Admonish, encourage, and help. Listen while I read, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14, We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

Be at peace among yourselves. Inasmuch as it is in your power to do so you should be at peace with everyone. This should be especially true of relationships in the church and between Christians.

We have the right, no, we have the responsibility to admonish the idle. Paul said if they don't work, they don't eat! Admonish, not condemn! We also have the responsibility to encourage the fainthearted. Many people in the church, and in the world around us, are simply not bold and need encouragement. I believe, without a formal organization, this church has a "Barnabas ministry". "Barnabas" means son of encouragement. We have people in this church who encourage others on a regular basis. A note, or a card, sent at the right time. A phone call, or a visit, can be very encouraging to a fainthearted person. We are to help the weak not push them aside. In all cases we are to be gentle. I often think of times that a few gentle words would have helped a great deal more than the harsh words that were actually said. One thing for sure, words that have been spoken can never be recalled.

Those who are strong should be patient with those who are weak. They also should…

Insist on the essentials and not the peripherals.

Churches, almost never, split over essential doctrine. They split over things like how to spell a word, what time to have a worship service, or what kind of music is used in worship. Folks, those things are just peripherals. They're not in the center of what's important in church life. We need to insist on what is…

Of first importance. Listen while I read what Paul said to the Corinthians in, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

That which is of first importance is Jesus! Condemned, crucified, buried and raised again for our sins and our salvation. That's what really counts!

Satan will do anything in his power to get God's people fighting among themselves. He doesn't try to get people to argue over salvation. He would much rather turn the argument towards the color of paint in the worship area or the name of the church. None of that has anything to do with the soul salvation of anyone. You see there is…

Only one source of salvation. Peter and John had been brought before the ruling Council. The charges against him were simple. A man had been healed of a lifelong illness. The Council wanted to know what the source of their power was. Peter boldly proclaimed the name of Jesus and then added Acts 4:12, And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Not only had the name of Jesus healed this man but they also wanted to be clear that there is only one name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. And folks, that name is Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, The Son of the Living God. There is only one way…

Not many. Listen while I read what Paul wrote to the Ephesians 4:2-6, There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

One body! And that is not Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, or any other particular church. That body is the body of Christ! The church triumphant that extends through all ages and all regions of the world.

One Spirit! And that is the Holy Spirit — the force that now works in all believers. The fact that the one Spirit indwells all believers makes us equal in all things spiritual. We have different gifts and responsibilities but only one Spirit.

One hope! The hope of our calling sets us apart from the world and allows us to focus our attention on the world to come. Our hope releases God's riches in our life.

One Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ; one faith, belief in the one true God by grace through faith; one baptism, the work of the Holy Spirit in our life; one God, Yahweh the Lord of heaven and earth, over all, through all and in all. Because of these things we should…

Avoid quarreling. Yet some people seem to rejoice in quarreling. When I was a boy I went out of my way to argue with people. In a more formal sense I guess it might be said that I enjoyed debating. One day I discovered that I might be winning arguments but I was losing friends. And friends are much more important than opinions. So I adopted the policy I try to follow now. And that is, everyone has the right to be wrong! When we do disagree, and voice our disagreement, we need to be…

Gently correcting. Look at Paul's instruction to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:24-26, And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

Be kind to everyone. Oh, there are people who are easy to be kind to. They are sweet and gentle and nice to be around. But they are not "everyone"! When you extend the policy to "everyone" it becomes much harder to carry out. Every believer is able to be kind and teach others. You see, it's not our work, it's God's work and if His Spirit indwells us — and he does — then we can do all things through the one who gives us strength.

We need to patiently endure even evil when necessary to reach a person for the gospel. We need to correct others but we need to do it gently not argumentative or quarrelsome. We need to win the argument in such a way that we also win our opponent. The book of Proverbs tells us, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (15:1) As I said before, it took me a while to learn this but when I finally "got it" it became an effective tool to be used to win people over. I am not perfect by any means but I try to follow the word of God and do it with a gentle spirit. We can't always avoid differences of opinion and sometimes we will have to…

Deal with dividers. See Paul's instruction to Titus in chapter 3:9-11, But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

We can see from this instruction some of the things the early church fought about. Paul calls them "foolish controversies" and things haven't changed much over the centuries. Most of the controversies today within the church are foolish.

Someone once said that we have to be careful when we get into disagreement. We need to decide if the issue is really important. We need to ask ourselves, "Is this a hill I'm willing to die on?" If it's not, we need to put it aside and go ahead with our ministry. But if it is important and is used by someone to stir up division in the church then we are to warn the person who's causing division once or twice and then shun them — have nothing more to do with him, or her!

Of course there are issues of major importance that have to be taken care of and we need to…

Be wise and gracious. Listen to Paul's words Colossians 4:5-6, Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Walk in wisdom? Where would we get that from? The Bible tells us that the Lord gives wisdom! James said that if anyone lacks wisdom let him ask God who gives generously without reproach. He went on to say later in his book that the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Gracious in speech! That means never talking down to another person. Always being kind and considerate of them. It matters little if we tell the truth if no one is listening. We need to tell the truth in such a way that each person will listen. We need to always be prepared to answer any one who questions our faith.

As long as people think for themselves there will be differences of opinion. A person doesn't have to think clearly to have an opinion. How we deal with the difference is very important.

We need to be patient with those who are still struggling with their faith. We need to insist on sticking to the essential issues and letting God deal with the peripheral issues. We need to avoid arguments and focus on gently guiding the conversation toward the gospel.

We live today in a culture of division, acrimony and hostility. It seems that disagreement always has to be harsh and divisive. This is true even in the church and among Christian people. Brothers and sisters, this ought not to be true! Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers…". James, the Lord's brother, said, "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." I'm grateful to God that the Stamford Baptist Church has never been known for quarreling and division. May it always be so!

All scripture quotes from:The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.