Sometimes when I am listening to other preachers wax eloquent on certain topics, I am always interested in how they arrive at their conclusions. This is because I may also be interested in their topic of discussion and I want to know if their way of arriving to a conclusion is better than mine.
Often, preachers will do well until they come to the end and then they seem to blow it. Take for example, “drinking.” Some preachers see drinking beer and wine as evil. Now they do not come out and say this because the bible does not say such things. The bible does expressly forbid drunkenness (Eph. 5:18), but not drinking a glass of wine or a can of beer.
But since their mindset is that sipping beer and wine is evil, they conclude their messages with these words or something similar: “If you really love God and offer yourself completely to Him, then you would not drink beer or wine.”
What arrests my thoughts on this is since they cannot use the bible to forbid casual drinking, they now seem to challenge people’s devotion to God.
It seems to me that taking a position on any point of doctrine can have the affect of justifying one’s need to exert their love for God. The believer’s love for the Lord should drive them to carefully study the Biblical text and have the desire to understand what it is communicating. But the overall landscape of Christianity certainly should indicate that there are a variety of differences affecting many areas of Christian doctrine and life. Christians differ with regards to styles of worship, baptism and implementing the Lord’s Supper. We also have differences regarding tongues, the role of women pastors, and whether or not a man who has been divorce can still serve as a pastor.
By challenging a believer’s devotion to the Lord, one can use it to say just about anything. For example, if you really love the Lord, you would:
Not prohibit women from certain leadership positions
Not twist scripture to suit your purposes
Not put God in a box and see that all spiritual gifts mentioned are for use today
Not drink or get tattoos
Not impose legalistic standards where Christians can have liberties
The list can go on. But it demonstrates that whatever position we take, particular in areas that are not essential to salvation or historic orthodoxy, we can associate that position with Christian allegiance such that the Christian who takes a differing position must do so because of a lack of devotion.
It is not enough to say the other person is wrong but when their allegiance and affection is questioned because they disagree, it casts dispersions on their faith. Just because someone takes a differing position does not mean they have any less affection for Christ.
The fact that they have come to a different position involves interpretive differences but does not suggest that they are seeking to dishonor God or have a lesser love for Christ.
I want to challenge my fellow preachers to be careful not to go down this road. If the bible cannot support your ideas, then don’t force the issue and certainly do not bring into question the spiritual allegiance of those who differ. Major on those things which are eternally significant, and preach grace and tolerance on those things which are not.
