Study 50 – A Religious Minefield

Paul addresses the theme of ‘what’s right and what’s wrong’ for Christians in his letter to the Romans. Indeed, some would argue that one of the main purposes of the epistle was to handle difficulties related to the law and the danger of the church being split, and appeal for mutual acceptance and unity.

Recognise the Tensions
The church in Rome consisted of a mixture of former Gentiles and Jews. The former Gentiles previously had a relaxed and law-free background. The former Jews expressed their previous devotion to God through detailed law keeping and would have been wary of liberal attitudes to Sabbath-keeping and eating legally forbidden meat. Paul recognised that there would be huge tensions between them.

First, Paul acknowledged that some were stronger in faith than others. The strong were clear that they could, for instance, eat anything, while the weak stuck to vegetables (Rom. 14:1,2). Some regarded one day above another while others regarded all days alike (Rom. 14:5). Paul’s great preoccupation was that they shouldn’t judge one another but pursue things that brought peace and mutual edification. The strong should bear with the weak and not simply please themselves (Rom. 15:1).

Obey your Conscience
The conscience is a very delicate mechanism, intuitive rather than rational. As a gift of God it’s there not to be overridden, but to be obeyed. So if your conscience tells you, ‘You should never have raised your voice at her,’ you don’t reason to yourself, ‘She started it. She’s to blame.’ Or if it says, ‘You shouldn’t be removing those things from the office and taking them home,’ you don’t argue, ‘John does, and he’s a Christian.’ An ignored or rejected conscience can soon become a seared conscience, which could shipwreck your faith (1 Tim. 1:19).

Having said that, the conscience is not necessarily foolproof because it can be wrongly programmed and lead you into bondage. It may need to be reprogrammed to line up with Scripture but it mustn’t be abused and trodden underfoot.

Take the drinking of alcohol, for instance. Before I was saved I often drank to excess and this habit continued into my early years as a Christian. After a crisis of conviction I made a thoroughgoing recommitment to Christ, gave up alcohol altogether and took out a car insurance for teetotallers. I wouldn’t even drink wine to toast the bride and groom at weddings.

Some years later, God convinced me through the Scriptures, that I could drink wine, while obviously avoiding getting drunk as the Bible plainly teaches (Eph. 5:18). Having not drunk for many years, it seemed strange to have a glass in my hand again, but my conscience was clear. I could have argued, ‘Well other Christians drink, so I’ll do it too.’ But by doing this I would have offended my own conscience. I had to be satisfied from the Bible that I could drink alcohol and re-educate my conscience through the Word of God.

If you’re convinced from the Bible that you can drink alcohol, don’t try to coerce other Christians into following your example. You may have some compelling Scriptures and excellent arguments in favour of drinking. But if your friends aren’t fully persuaded, you’ll do them great harm if you attempt to force their consciences into your freedom.

This principle naturally applies to a number of issues. We must be convinced in our own minds of what the Bible teaches, live before God in the light of his truth and respect others who disagree.

To Meditate On

We need to keep a clear conscience.

‘I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live’ (Job 27:6).

‘I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man’ (Acts 24:16).

‘Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world … in the holiness and sincerity that are from God’ (2 Cor. 1:12).

‘Love … comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith’ (1 Tim. 1:5).

Food For Thought

Read the following verses:

Psalm 13:1; John 17:23; Romans 15:5,6; 1 Corinthians 1:10, 12:12; Ephesians 4:3,13.

Write down what unity actually involves.

What’s the difference between unity and uniformity?

To Beware

To remain divided is sinful! Did not our Lord pray, that they may be one, even as we are one? (John 17:22). A chorus of ecumenical voices keep harping the unity tune. What they are saying is, ‘Christians of all doctrinal shades and beliefs must come together in one visible organization, regardless... Unite, unite!’  Such teaching is false, reckless and dangerous. Truth alone must determine our alignments. Truth comes before unity.  Unity without truth is hazardous. Our Lord's prayer in John 17 must be read in its full context. Look at verse 17: ‘Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.’ Only those sanctified through the Word can be one in Christ. To teach otherwise is to betray the Gospel.
Charles H. Spurgeon, The Essence of Separation, quoted in The Berean Call, July, 1992, p. 4.

To Be Inspired

‘Satan always hates Christian fellowship; it is his policy to keep Christians apart. Anything that can divide saints from one another he delights in.’
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892).