We can find directives on how to accept one another in areas of opinion. God’s plan for the church is for Imperfect People to Help Imperfect People Get to Heaven. The NIV reads (Rom 14:1) Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. Notice we are talking about passing judgment on matters of opinion. We are not talking about whether Jesus is the Christ (John 8:24) or that His sacrifice was sufficient (Hebrews 9:28) or even the essentiality of being baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27). The believers in the context of Romans Chapters 14 and 15 were struggling with their differences on matters of opinion. The situation became more difficult because some individuals were pressing their opinions as if they were a “thus sayeth the Lord”.
There are two specific avenues to acceptance we ought to keep in mind when it comes to areas of personal opinion. #1 - Don’t make a big deal over matters of opinion (Romans 14:3). If we lose sight that Christ is Head and we are to accept one another we’ve lost the big picture. #2 - Accept him who differs in matters of opinion because God has accepted him (Romans 14:3). Notice Paul doesn’t ask or even tell either one of these Christians to change their opinions, but to accept each other. Acceptance is more important than agreement on disputable matters or differences of opinion.
There are two specific avenues to acceptance we ought to keep in mind when it comes to areas of personal opinion. #1 - Don’t make a big deal over matters of opinion (Romans 14:3). If we lose sight that Christ is Head and we are to accept one another we’ve lost the big picture. #2 - Accept him who differs in matters of opinion because God has accepted him (Romans 14:3). Notice Paul doesn’t ask or even tell either one of these Christians to change their opinions, but to accept each other. Acceptance is more important than agreement on disputable matters or differences of opinion.
Clark Tatum
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