Galatians 5:13-15 – “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”   15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!”  NKJV

John 14:6 – “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”  NASU

Recently in discussing the sectarianism within the Christian community a friend of mine reminded me of something I had read years before.  He recited a quote that Dr. James Kennedy used, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.”  “In necessariius unitas, in non-necessariis (or dubiss) libertas, in utrisque (or, omnibus) caritas.”  The saying is most often attributed to St. Augustine but it appears that his creed would not allow it although his heart might have embraced it and that it can possibly be traced to Repuertus Meldenius during the 1600’s.  In a book by Gregor Frank we find, “Let truth prevail, let charity prevail, let liberty abide through Jesus Christ who is truth itself, charity itself, freedom itself.”

 I have long been disturbed with the attempts of believers to advance their ‘brand’ rather than the pursuit of ‘abiding’ in Christ.  Before you come after me with righteous indignation as you may perceive it and brand me a heretic I completely understand and agree that there are some things we cannot accept.  That is true in life and it is equally true that we do not all agree on all things in life.  If we did, we would all want the same things, same mate, same car, same house, same job, etc.  We do not and that is not a bad thing normally.

In matters of faith it is vital that in the ‘essentials’ we speak the same thing as was urged by the apostle Paul.  I had someone tell me that it would not be problematic in their theology if Jesus were not ‘virgin born’ and did not die on the Cross or rise the third day.  It would mine!  That person considered most of the bible mythological and yet stated that he was a Christian and his beliefs should not affect our fellowship.  He publicly made his views known and tried to persuade others to follow his theological beliefs and for me to continue in fellowship with him would be paramount to saying, “I can accept his stance.”  I could not and knew that if I continued it would impact a significant number of people in the community and possibly shipwreck some in their faith.  So this was one of the ‘essentials’ that I had to insist on unity and we did not have that.

When we come to the ‘non-essentials’ and while some will tell me that there are no such things in matters of faith, I believe there are some things upon which our salvation does not depend.  I recall meeting with a number of ministers in a retreat and during the evening meal some partook of a glass of wine, a few had a beer, some had tea, and others coffee.  One of the ministers drinking his coffee looked at those with wine and beer and began to challenge them for drinking alcohol.  One of the ministers from Europe paused and said, “My brother, what is in your cup?”  The minister proudly declared that he did not imbibe alcohol and that it was just coffee.  The European said, “If we are going to talk about things toxic to the human body I would suggest that you lay aside your caffeine and remove the beam from your eye before you try to remove specks from the eyes of others.”  He continued to address ‘moderation’ and readily acknowledged that becoming intoxicated was wrong.  He said, “My brother, this is an area in which we can disagree without compromising the essentials of salvation.”   I know that some would say, “Oh no, that is sin!” 

In all things ‘charity’ or ‘love’ should be exhibited.  It truly is Jesus that who should be our focus not our particular opinions.  He is the truth, the way, the life and there is no other doorway to the Father but by Him.  I decided long ago that I would endeavor to teach the ‘essentials’ and when I came to what I considered ‘non-essentials’ I would preface my message or teaching with, “This is my opinion or preference” rather than “Thus says the Lord” and attempt to press everyone into my particular mold or brand.

I am convinced that if we ‘seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness’ He will show us what to leave off and what to keep in our lives.  The foundational truths of God’s Word will NEVER CHANGE but as we gain understanding and maturity many of our opinions will.  It is my desire that we all come to the place that we will “let truth prevail, let charity prevail and let liberty abide through Jesus Christ who is truth, liberty, and charity.”

            May God be with you as you go through your day!