In All Things, Charity

It seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things.

Acts 15:28

There are dos and don’ts in the Bible, but we have a tendency to add to them—and to expect others to follow our lists. The church has invented lots of rules since the first century to define what it means to be a “good Christian.” Over time, in our minds, these rules become traditions almost equal to Scripture. When the traditions of men become more important than God’s people and God’s law, they’ve gone too far.

Paul devoted Romans 14 and 15 to telling us that, while we must agree on the great central truths of Scripture (essential doctrines), there are many areas in which Christians may disagree (nonessential doctrines). “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind” (Romans 14:5).

Have you been upset with someone who didn’t agree with you on some nonessential point of doctrine? Have you been critical of someone whose opinion differed from yours? Perhaps in insisting on your list, you’ve forgotten the most important item on God’s list: that we exhibit His love.