How many times have I asked and have been asked this question? Sometimes the question is asked before a task so that the desired outcome is achieved. If you are working with someone and your goal is not agreed upon, the outcome can be disastrous. It is vital as Christians that we agree on the teaching of the Bible. We need not be dogmatic about things that are not essential to salvation and sanctification. There will be some things that God shows each of us as Christians, that we may understand differently. While it would violate our conscience to do certain things, Christians shouldn’t create strife because others do not understand them the same way. Yet, there are some things that are non-negotiable for a follower of Jesus Christ. On those things, we must agree.
Paul sets forth this biblical principle in Philippians 3:15-16. All Christians are to agree on the main things. We are to be like-minded on the doctrine of salvation. All are sinners according to Romans 3:23. You may have a heritage that links you directly to the birth of Christ, but you are still a sinner in need of a Savior. There is only one person who has never sinned and that is Jesus. Because of His perfection as a man, He was the only one qualified to be the sacrifice for our sins. Romans 3:8 declares us all sinners. We all must agree that there is a literal Hell. A place the Bible talks about as continuous torment made for the devil and his angels, but also for those who reject Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We must agree that the only way to God is through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus, that it is our faith in Him and our repenting of our sins that make us a child of God. We do not work for our salvation; it is a gift from God to those who believe and follow Christ. While we do not work for our salvation, our works are proof of our faith in Him. James makes it clear that if we have faith, we will express it in our desire and action to do what we can to win a lost world. All Christians must agree that salvation is Jesus plus nothing. Why, because that is what God’s word teaches.
Philippians 3:15-16 “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.”
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 10:8-10 “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
James 2:20 “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”
Christianity’s common goal is to set our hearts on Christ and the things above. There will always be points of disagreement, but our focus, our heartbeat, should not be different, and there should be no contention in the church. We must remember that a healthy church will always have babies in Christ and mature adults. That is the natural process, but our differences should not pull us apart it should draw us together as we seek to be more like Christ as individuals and a body of believers.
We are to be Christ’s hands and feet while we are on this earth. We are to share His love with everyone. We are to share the gospel so others can believe. Our hearts should be set on Him and not our own selfish desires. Our aim should be like Paul’s, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Philippians 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
While I believe there are many things a Christian should abstain from, I am not to belittle others because they don’t feel the same as I do. Contention and quarreling in the church is wrong. The worst part about this attitude in the church is how the unsaved view us. To the unsaved, Christians are not different from them when we act as they act. The world is full of strife, contention, riots, hate, etc. This is even more reason for us to maintain the peace of God in the church. It should be a refuge from the world, a sanctuary for peace where our minds can focus on God. It is a place where we can come to Him without distractions and meet with Him.
Are you a contentious person? Is the church a place where you focus on worship and reaching others? If so, seek to be agreeable for the cause of Christ. Major on the things that God’s word speaks to, not on what you think. Many religions try to add to the gospel and make it difficult for others to believe in simple faith and repentance. They confuse those who are seeking and because of that, some may never find salvation in Jesus Christ. Don’t be that person. Be agreeable on the main things.
