If several people in a church wanted to open a liquor bar to help minister to lost alcoholics, someone would surely say "no you can't do that here". What would happen if the several who wanted to do it said it was important to them, they had prayed about it, they felt it was what they should do and that to deny them would be causing division in the church. Is it true that not doing what others want is the definition of division? I hope most would go to the Scriptures and demonstrate why this is not OK.
For example -
Eph. 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. (NKJV)
If someone wanted to teach from the Koran, open a casino or do any number of other radical sounding things, many people in the church would be willing to turn to the scriptures to give a reason why the thing they don't want doesn't belong in the church. However, what happens when the thing is something that is wanted or maybe a long standing tradition. Is the scripture still the place to turn for answers? If most people in the church like the thing being done, will they be as quick to hold it up to scripture? Are things done because people think they are right, see others churches doing it, or simply because it has been done for a long time already at their church. Should there still be a willingness to hold these time honored traditions up to the word of God.
The word that was plenty clear and welcomed on several other issues can suddenly become "able to make say whatever you want" when it comes to evaluating a time honored tradition. The one who desires to allow the word of God to speak on the issue at hand, now may be seen as divisive. He or she may now be accused of "using or manipulating the word" to control people, the church as a whole or to cause division.
The reality is - either the word can be understood and has answers or it does not. Scripture itself claims that it is the standard by which division is diagnosed. Notice in the passage below, divisions are to be diagnosed as they are compared/subjected to doctrine (unless you think I am being divisive by appealing to scripture/doctrine). If someone does not wish to examine their desires or traditions through the lens of biblical doctrine, then they are clearly being divisive if they continue to promote their agenda.
Rom. 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. (NKJV)
May we continue to turn back to the word of God for our good and His glory!
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
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