I’m getting concerned about the threat of a great division in the church. While we all see divisions along social, racial, political, and philosophical lines in the society around us, we also know the church is to remain united under the gospel, the truth of God’s Word and the unity of fellowship we have as brothers and sisters in Christ. However, I fear this transition back to “normalcy” is going to be a real test for the church in America.

Over the past numbers of weeks we haven’t been together as a family of believers. We have been consuming news reports and media that have impacted and shaped our views of life (maybe without us even realizing it!). Isolation and lack of socialization have affected our collective psyche. We may have formed opinions and even convictions about the validity of this pandemic and/or our proper response to it. Our beliefs about the injustices on both sides of the BLM movement are carrying strong emotions along with them. So, as we gather back together as a church and inevitably begin to voice these differing viewpoints, it could easily lead to dissension and division.

As with all areas of life, the Bible has answers to these potential pitfalls to fellowship. In Romans 14, Paul gives clear and practical instruction for those who have taken strong positions on opposing sides of issues of personal conviction. Take a few minutes to read the entire chapter. As Paul lays it out, there were a number of issues (eating unclean meat, celebrating certain holidays, etc..) where the believers in the church had taken sides and divisions were forming. These believer are classified as either “weak” or “strong”, not to be derogatory towards the “weak” or to take sides with the “strong”, but rather to describe their relative positions on the matters in dispute.

Those who were “weak” were clearly being judgmental towards those who felt liberty in these areas. Those who were “strong” were clearly demeaning those who did not feel those liberties were theirs to take. This is why Paul chastises BOTH sides in verse 10 – “Why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?” By continuing with these actions, each side was putting a stumblingblock before the other. The “weak” were demonstrating a critical and judgmental attitude towards the “strong” and the “strong” were offending the “weak” by running roughshod over their convictions. This is why Paul continues in verse 13 with, let “no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.” In other words, we are responsible to care for, build up, and encourage EACH OTHER – regardless of our personal convictions.

How does this apply to our churches as we begin to re-open and begin to transition back to normal? There will be people who insist we should all be wearing masks while others will want the liberty to decide for themselves. There will be those who believe church leadership is moving too slowly to resume programs, while others will feel things are moving too fast. Some will not come out to church because of fear of the virus (or even because they have grown too comfortable having church in their living rooms) while others will come out to church and judge them for their absence. There will be those who will not want any permanent changes as a result of this pandemic while others will feel that some changes should be made for the long term. Let’s remember that no matter which side of a given issue you may endorse, there may be a brother or sister with a strong conviction on the other side. Let’s not make these convictions a test of fellowship or a bone of contention. When you feel heated and passionate about your stance, take a few minutes to re-read Romans 14. Determine to apply these practical instructions to YOUR perspective and then figure out how you can best show LOVE your brother or sister in Christ. You see, grace is REQUIRED for those with different viewpoints than our own. Only with grace in our hearts are we able to “follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” (v.19)