Presented, March 16, 2003 am

WITHOUT COMPROMISE
Our Liberties in Christ

We have extensively studied the subject of compromise. We have defined it as, "to settle for less than one’s convictions" OR "to surrender to that which is wrong for personal gain." We have noted numerous examples from God’s word of those who compromised and those who did not. We have also addressed a proper respect for truth as that which prevents compromise.

It is my hope that in this study we have seen that compromise according to this definition is sin. We should NEVER settle for less than that which we believe to be right, particularly that which we consider to be matters of faith. BUT, we are commanded in God’s word to bear with those who we disagree with in matters of liberty. And by one of its broader definitions, you might even say that we NEED to be willing to compromise with these brethren whom we differ with in these matters. One definition of compromise is, 2. A settlement by arbitration or by mutual consent reached by concession on both sides; a reciprocal abatement of extreme demands or rights, resulting in an agreement." (Webster’s Dictionary) This means that sides that disagree sit down and discuss their differences and see if they can come to an acceptable agreement that satisfies both sides. In this sense, we need to learn to be willing to discuss our differences with our brethren, and if something is NOT a matter of conviction, we need to be willing to "give a little" for the sake of unity.

The problem is that far too many in the religious world, and even among brethren, have clouded passages that deal with the liberties of Christians and placed matters of faith into the category of matters of liberty. In so doing, they convince many to settle for less than what they know (or knew) to be right and thereby they compromise the truth of God’s word. One might say that they change their "convictions" because they have restudied God’s word on a particular subject. And while that may be true, in many instances (but not all), if they are honest with themselves they will see that the ONLY reason they changed was some change in circumstance in their life. And now, they are justified in doing or accepting that which they used to condemn. NOTE: I am not saying that we cannot study and change our minds. As we study, we must continually do so with an attitude of respect for what God’s word really says (last week) and we need to be open minded enough to change when we learn we are wrong. I am referring to one who for personal advantage will suddenly "see things differently" and now they happen to allow that which formerly was condemned. They have compromised their TRUE convictions by reinterpreting that which formerly condemned their conduct.

With that in mind, I want to insert this lesson dealing with our liberties in this study. If we are to avoid compromise we HAVE to understand what are matters of faith and what are our liberties.

I. What Are Liberties?

  1. Defined

    1. The state of a free person; exemption from subjection to the will of another claiming ownership of the person or services; freedom; -- opposed to slavery, serfdom, bondage, or subjection. 8. The power of choice; freedom from necessity; freedom from compulsion or constraint in willing. The idea of liberty is the idea of a power in any agent to do or forbear any particular action, according to the determination or thought of the mind, whereby either of them is preferred to the other. Locke.

    2. Vine’s – "a loosening, relaxation", "authority, right". Thayer – "Power of choice"

    3. As used in our discussion, we refer to that which we have a right to choose whether or not to do something. In other words, God is indifferent as to how we deal with these issues. We will see some examples as this lesson proceeds.

  2. What liberties are NOT

    1. Matters of doctrine

      1. If God has specifically commanded something or forbidden something, we are BOUND to that. There is no freedom.
        E.g – Repent and Be Baptized (Acts 2:38);

      2. If God has specified the WAY to do something, we are bound by that. For instance, The Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week – Acts 20:7; Singing – Ephesians 5:19.

    2. Matters that are clearly defined or unauthorized.

    1. That which God has declared to be sin is not a matter open to discussion.

    2. There are many principles that we have to consider as we decide what we can and cannot do.

    3. Morality fits in this category – Romans 14:6 – Whatever one does, it MUST be to the Lord. This is true whether dealing with matters of faith or liberty.

    4. I.e. – Adultery – is clearly defined and condemned in God’s word. It is ALWAYS sin and we should NOT condone in any way those involved in this. MDR is a factor in this.

            3.  Matters that involve collective action. If something involves the church treasury, how we worship together or whom we fellowship, it is NOT a liberty. Because in such things you are partaking in the action by supporting it. For example:

  1. How is the Lord’s treasury used? If one objects to the Lord’s treasury being used for something that is not authorized, he cannot COMPROMISE his beliefs and continue to support that church.

  2. Can we use instrumental music in our worship? If one objects to the use of instrumental music, to participate in a place where it is used is to COMPROMISE with his convictions.

  3. What about accepting those in unscriptural marriages? To accept them into fellowship and act as if nothing is wrong leaves the impression that their life is acceptable before God. If their state before God is not acceptable, their worship to God is defiled and when we tolerate it (COMPROMISE) we partake in their sin and are accountable. Heed Paul’s warning in 1 Corinthians 5:1-6

        4.  Matters of ignorance – Just because you don’t know what the Bible says about something doesn’t make it acceptable to do that. Many today want to excuse ignorance

   C.  Passages that help define liberties

    1. Romans 14:1-6 –

    1. Doubtful things – those things that are matters of opinions.

    2. Meats and days. The Jews did not eat certain meats, while the Gentiles did. New Jewish converts still observed the Sabbath, possibly feast days. Paul said they could do that, as long as it was to the Lord (with the understanding of Who the Lord is).

               2.  1 Corinthians 8:7-8 – meat offered to idols. Food does NOT condemn us to God, if we eat (these foods) we are not better and if we don’t eat we are not any    worse off.

        Notice how each of these examples are dealing with that which God has been silent about. He is indifferent in these matters.

 

  1. How Do We Deal With These Differences?

  1.  We who are strong bear with the weaknesses (scruples) of the weak – Romans 15:1

    1. Romans 14 & 1 Corinthians 8 describes 2 groups of individuals – the strong and the weak

    1. Note: Strong and weak do not mean the same thing that we think of.

    1. The weak doesn’t always mean the one who is not grounded.

    2. The text refers to those who in their studies (both sides have studied) do not see matters the same way.

               b.  The strong – those who have no problem doing something that is a matter of indifference.

    1. 1 Corinthians 8:10 as those who have knowledge.

    2. Romans 14:2 says he believes he may eat all things.

    3. The point is his conscience does not does not bother him as he eats, observes days, etc.

    4. The PROBLEM: The one who ate despised him who did not eat. He expected everyone to eat what eats and to observe whatever days he observed.

    5. In matters of liberty, some today do things and they DARE those who disagree with them to say something.

    6. Romans 15:1 says, we who are strong need to bear with those who do not think the same way we do in these matters.

              c. The weak – those whose conscience will not allow them to do something because of doubt.

    1. 1 Corinthians 8:7-12 describes the one who cannot eat things offered to idols without thinking of it as a sacrifice (7). His conscience is described as weak and when he eats it is defiled. Therefore, he CANNOT eat such things.

    2. Romans 14:2 says he eats only vegetables (not meat)

    3. The point is his conscience will NOT allow him to do something such as eating certain foods or observing certain days.

    4. He doubts and because he doubts, he CANNOT do something – Romans 14:23.

    5. The PROBLEM: The one who doesn’t eat judges and condemns him who does. He is passing judgment where God has NOT.

    6. There are some today who do NOT observe certain days (i.e. – secular holidays) and they judge and condemn those who do, even though God said NOTHING either way about it.

    7. Romans 14:10 says, Why do you judge or show contempt for your brother? Vs. 10-12 warn ALL of us that we will stand before God in judgment for we have done. AND in matters of liberty, we need to learn to accept that when dealing with those with whom we differ.

B.  Where there is doubt, don’t do it!

  1. Romans 14:23 clearly warns against acting in doubt.

  2. Do we respect those who have doubts? If one has doubts, we should be critical and judgmental of them. We have NO right to think any less of them because they don’t do things the way we think they ought to do them.

C.  We don’t do that which might "offend"

  1. This is another word that is misunderstood because of its definition in English.

  2. The word in the Greek language indicates that which causes one to stumble. It is not merely "hurting one’s feelings"

  3. Romans 14:13-16 –Don’t grieve (make sorry) your brother with that which you can do. In other words, don’t make him miserable by taunting him. Don’t belittle him and criticize him simply because he doesn’t see things the way you do.
    Don’t destroy him with your food (vs. 15) and don’t let your good be evil spoken of (vs. 16).

  4. 1 Corinthians 8:9-10 – Don’t put a stumbling block in your brother’s way. The one who sees nothing wrong with eating meats that had been offered to idols (because he knows it’s nothing more than meat) CANNOT eat in front of one who has a problem with it TO THE POINT that his eating will become a stumbling block (a cause of offense) to the one who is weak. The stumbling-lock has reference to something that causes one to trip and fall down.

  5. In such cases, the weak one has sinned and is in danger of perishing (8:11), but you have also sinned against Christ (8:12) and YOU need to repent also!

  6. If our liberty is going to cause stumbling, we had better not do it! (8:13)

  7. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:29,"Conscience I say, no your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience?"

        D.  Pursue peace and edification

  1. Romans 14:19 – Paul’s point in the midst of this discussion about our liberties is this: We should pursue those things that will promote peace and edification instead of dissention and bitter feelings.

  2. One reason many COMPROMISE is because they don’t want to deal with unyielding and harsh brethren. It is easier to say nothing or "go along" with something than it is to stand up for what is right.

  3. I firmly believe that in MOST disagreements and disputes there is plenty of blame to go around on BOTH SIDES.

  4. 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 tells us, that even with those things that are lawful, they are not necessarily helpful or edifying. In such cases, they are not what is BEST. Therefore, we should consider the well being of the other rather than ourselves.

In matters of faith, we must NEVER settle for less than that which we know is right. But in matters of liberty, we need to be considerate and even willing to yield to our brethren. How many problems could be alleviated between brethren if we would simply pursue unity and peace even if it means we don’t get our way all the time? If we all love the Lord first and our brethren as ourselves, I am convinced there would be a lot less compromise among brethren. Let us heed the words of Alexander Campbell, "In matters of faith, unity; In matters of opinion, liberty; In all things, love." Think about it!