In a Bubble

“We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.” Romans 15:2

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he writes, “Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.” If one person thinks it’s okay to eat anything, but another thinks he should eat only vegetables, the one who believes it’s okay to eat anything shouldn’t look down on those who don’t. Likewise, we can’t get hung up on things like which day on which we should worship. Nobody lives in a bubble. Our lives should be lived in such a way that we honor the Lord and in such a way that we will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

When we start splitting hairs, we end up splitting the church and making it very unattractive to unbelievers. There are doctrinal issues that are non-negotiable such as the death and resurrection of Christ for the atonement of sin, but when non-issues become issues, we end up fighting to be right instead of striving for unity in the body of Christ.  

This causes God’s Church to be divided and sends the wrong message to the world. Jesus didn’t live to please Himself, but He came as a servant to live for those whom He would die for. Our aim, as Paul says, should be for harmony in the church, to help others do what is right, and to build each other up. When we stop fighting to be right and start serving one another and striving for unity, we live in such a way that brings honor to God.