I’ve been doing some deep reflecting lately about what I’m
looking for out of life and about the stand I take on a variety of
controversial issues. I can’t say that I’ve solved all the world’s problems or
eliminated the need for debate, but I have come to a few conclusions that I
would like to share.
As Christians we use the Bible as our standard of truth. It
is our source of direction and guidance as we navigate life and its challenges.
Still within the Christian community, I have heard a wide variety of opinions
on subjects like homosexuality, alcohol, divorce, abortion and the roles of a
husband and wife in marriage. What I’m about to share with you does not justify
anyone’s opinion or argument. It is important to recognize that the validity of
any belief system needs to be held against the Word of God alone. When you
stand before God one day He will hold you accountable for what you have
researched, prayed through and found true, not what I’ve told you. With that
said…
I believe there is a difference between community Biblical
obedience, personal conviction and individual preferences. I’m not suggesting
there is more than one truth or that we can pick and choose what we will obey
within the Bible. I simply mean that there is a difference between each one of
these terms, and I’ve found that a lack of understanding for these concepts has
been cause for much confusion and even dissension among believers.
So what do I mean by community Biblical obedience, personal
conviction and individual preferences? Well I’m so glad you asked.
First I’ll address Community Biblical Obedience. There are many
universal commands in the Bible. These are standards that everyone is to obey
as a follower of Christ. For example, the 10 Commandments are for all of us. There’s
no debate on that. And I think we could all agree on this. I’ve found the
confusion and debate often comes when one doesn’t consider the context of the
verse. Let’s look at 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 as an example, “Do you not know that
your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received
from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God
with your body.” The context of the verse refers specifically to sexual
immorality. Read the surrounding chapters and verses if you don’t believe me.
I’ve heard people use this verse as reason that Christians shouldn’t drink,
smoke or get tattoos. I’m getting a little ahead of myself, but the point is
that each verse of instruction, in it’s original context, is to be obeyed by
the entire community of believers. We are all to abstain from sexual immorality
because our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit. We are commanded to honor
Him, in this way, with our bodies.
Lets move on to Personal Conviction. There are specific
things the Lord will ask individual believers to refrain from. Often people
will quote specific scriptures as the basis for their personal convictions. One
such verse is the one I listed above from 1 Corinthians. The original context
was speaking specifically to sexual immorality. Does that mean that you cannot
apply it beyond that verse to include consuming too much sugar, tobacco,
alcohol, or caffeine? No. But those are now at the point of personal
convictions. To require the entire community of believers to abide by this
standard using this verse as the Biblical basis is to take the scripture out of
context.
Let me make it perfectly clear that I am not making a
statement about whether or not you should smoke tobacco. I’m not telling you
that you should never drink another Starbucks. And I’m not implying you should
drink them daily either. The point is context, context, context. There is a
difference between universal commands and personal convictions. If the Lord has
asked you to abide by a personal conviction and you choose not to, I believe
you are being disobedient. I’m simply saying that because He’s spoken that to
you it does not give you the right to impose this standard on a fellow brother
or sister. It is a personal conviction, not a command for community standards.
And lastly there is personal preference. This has much less
to do with support for an argument and everything to do with what you want. For
example, I may not believe that chewing tobacco is a moral issue. I may have
already prayed through it on the level of community obedience and personal
conviction. I still reserve the right not to want to kiss someone who chews if
I think it’s a gross habit. That does not make me a bad person; it does not
mean I am judging someone who chooses to do so. It is strictly a personal
preference. Likewise, if I don’t want my child to grow up inhaling second hand
smoke, I reserve the right to stay away from places or people that will smoke
around my kid. I’m not a bad person for addressing a clinically proven health
issue. It’s simply a personal preference.
I want you to know that we do not get to choose which
categories our quandaries fall under. If you come across an issue you don’t
understand you must do your due diligence to filter through each “level”. If it
is a matter of community Biblical obedience, you do not get to qualify it as a
personal preference and call it a day. If it is a personal conviction, you
cannot hold it against another follower of Christ as an issue of community
obedience. The Lord will make His Word clear to us if only we ask Him to. Spend
time in His word. Learn more about the context of the verses we so frequently
commit to memory. And remember to be gracious to those around you. When they
stand before God, they will be held accountable for their decisions. It is not
your place to do so. I know I have more than plenty to worry about in myself to
be so occupied with the choices of others. Please remember to keep this balance
in your own life as well. There are far too many people on this earth that have
never known His love to be so completely consumed with issues like these.
