Different Does Not Mean Wrong

“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” (Ro 14:13 AV)

 

I love Romans chapter fourteen.  It is so practical.  What I find disappointing is most American Christians do not get it.  We are so accustomed to liberty and freedom, we cannot conceive of restraining that liberty and freedom for the conscience of another.  We don’t like to be told we cannot do something.  If we have no conviction against it, we feel entitled to it.  This may be the American way, but it is not the Christian way.  The Christian way is to consider the conscience of another and if the Bible does not expressly command or allow for it, then we should consider refraining lest we offend another person’s conscience.  This principle, as stated before, is sorely lacking in our churches and denominations today.  What I wish to consider is the first part of the verse.  When we speak of judging, there is usually one of two responses.  Those who are against it are so because they wish to live a life that does not honor God in relative peace from others who may not accept their choices.  They see non-judging as the highest moral good.  They feel superior to those who do judge.  On the other hand, some judge everything and if you do not, then they think you have compromised the entire Bible.  They see a lack of judging as a weakness to be shunned and expelled.  As is usually the case, truth is somewhere in the middle.  We may have our opinion of a certain standard, but we should not have an opinion of those who do not share that standard.  Unless a clear biblical command or principle is violated, then there should be zero opinion as to the maturity or intent of another.

For none years I pastored a church in the southern region of our nation.  They are a bit different from what I am used to.  I come for the northeast.  We are not all that outwardly emotional.  We tend to be very conservative in our expressions.  One of the things which we do not do in church is clap. Absolutely not.  That is what the world does to recognize the accomplishments of men.  When we are in church, we are to recognize the glory of God and amen, praise the LORD, or glory are appropriate ways in which we express our feelings regarding that which just transpired.  I received an education when I pastored among our southern brethren.  An education which I sorely needed.  I learned several lessons which I think the vast majority of people should learn.  Just because it is different does not mean it is wrong.  When it came to clapping in church, I could never really get over my upbringing.  The beautiful thing about it is, they didn’t seem to mind that I wouldn’t clap, but I also didn’t mind that they did.  Our relationship was actually very symbiotic.  They tolerated me and I learned from them.  A few years later, I was sitting in a revival in another southern state and listened to a very well-known preacher from the state of Georgia as he shared his experiences preaching in my home state.  He said something that should never have been spoken.  He stated that people in the north are spiritually dead because they are not as outspoken or outwardly emotional as they are in the south.  He was judging something he did not understand.  But, I was the same way, but in reverse.  I thought southern saints were all shallow.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Two different perspectives seem in conflict, but they are not.  That is if we realize all things are not the same and some hold those things dear which we do not and vice versa.

There are clear music standards in the Bible.  But in those standards, there is some room for cultural expression.  There are clear biblical principles on dress.  There are the principles of modesty, appropriateness, and gender-specific attire.  But within those principles, some areas are not so specific that we all should be wearing the same uniform.  The Bible gives us rules.  Absolutely. The Bible also gives principles where rules need to adjust to differing situations.  The Bible calls this wisdom.  The principal thing here is judging.  And in particular, it is the lack of judging followed by accommodation for those who may not share our point of view.  Like the whole clapping thing.  I, as their pastor, did not forbid their custom.  There was nothing in the Bible that would forbid it.  On the other hand, they took no offense that I did not clap.  It was the best example of Romans 14 in action that one can think of.  Neither side judged the other side for their action or lack thereof.  We existed in unity, praising the LORD in the manner most completely reflecting the standards of our hearts.  WITHOUT JUDGING THE OTHER!  We accommodated one another in many areas of ministry.  I had to learn that just because it was my way of doing things did not mean it had to be that way.  They also acquiesced if I pushed a certain direction or decision.  Accommodation without judging is our goal.  That was what Paul wished for the multi-cultural church of Rome and it is what the body of Christ must learn.  Or, there will be no unity.