Embracing Differences - Frances Willard

1839–98

“A general with an army of 250,000” is how suffragist Susan B. Anthony introduced Frances Willard to a United States Senate Committee in 1895. People were drawn to Frances and her opinions.

And, wow, did this woman have opinions. She championed women’s rights, antirape laws, children’s rights, suffrage, the eight-hour workday, access to education, unions, prison reform, and sanitation. She held the position of dean of women at Northwestern University and also published a magazine. She preached, too, and was a strong supporter of women’s ordination.

What Frances is most remembered for, though, is her work as the president of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). The union’s purpose was to promote a “sober and pure world.” Abstinence from alcohol was part of the movement, but just a part. The WCTU worked to alleviate many social problems. They saw alcoholism as a social problem, but they also saw inequality of rights as a social problem. Frances fought for a wide variety of social reforms. Anyone who thinks of her as simply a woman who wanted to keep people from enjoying a stiff drink is missing the much larger picture.

Nowadays Christians take different stances on the issue of alcohol, and of course on many other issues as well. Often believers on both sides of an issue can cite Bible verses to back their opinions. So how do you handle it when you have a relationship with another Christian who is really great in so many areas but differs with you on an issue or two? Maybe you think a glass of wine is okay occasionally, and he thinks it’s never okay. Perhaps she thinks you shouldn’t shop on Sunday, and you have no problem stopping to grab groceries on your way home from church. There are dozens of issues like this—social, political, and theological.

In the book of Romans, Paul urges Christians not to condemn people who differ on these issues. If we’re all trying to please the Lord, we should live in harmony despite our differing opinions. Do you have room in your heart to “agree to disagree” on issues like this with others who have faith in the same Lord you do?

Why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

Romans 14:10