There are those who equate conservative issues with Christianity. They will say someone is a good Christian if they are an anti-vaxxer, eat organic food and carry guns as being smart and good Christians. While I respect their choice of beliefs, these things are not a measure of a born-again believer.
We know the Bible does not address any of these things. Some people would call them good old-fashioned horse sense issues but they are opinions based on particular mindsets and desires.
A born-again Christian is one who has confessed their sinfulness to God and desired to be changed into a new creation by Christ because they have placed their trust in His finished work on the cross that paid the penalty for sin that mankind owed. The only test of an authentic believer is the fruit of the Spirit that lives in them.
Galatians 5:22-23 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
God does not speak of vaccines, organic foods or mandates to carry weapons. These are all things that are personal choices. There may be times when God tells one believer to carry a weapon for a particular journey and other times when He tells them not to do so.
God may tell individuals to eat certain foods and others to avoid those foods. He may tell one person to take a vaccine and another one to not take a vaccine.
It is wildly disturbing that Christians are fighting with one another over things God never commanded or discussed in His Word.
Each person must seek God about these personal things He does not talk about in His Word. Those who fall in line with the prevailing view of others without consulting with God are following man rather than seeking Christ Who lives in them.
We cannot possibly know what God is telling a fellow believer on matters that are not mentioned in Scripture. To make these things a litmus test for “good Christianity” or “smart Christianity” is superficial at best.
1 Corinthians 1:10 “10 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all [f]agree and that there be no [g]divisions among you, but that you be [h]made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
This passage is dealing with taking sides to follow particular people. However, it is a good principle too that we not be divided on things God never wrote about in His Word. If there isn’t a direct command or a clear principle to follow about a matter then we must not divide over it. Using demeaning language or intimidation, shunning and other strategies to convince someone of our viewpoint, with those who do not agree on something God never speaks about is fleshly and divisive.
I understand that we are all convinced of certain things based on our personal preferences and life bents but that does not mean these things are commands for others. We must leave room for grace in these decisions, perhaps we do not know what God is telling others to do or His reasons for His direction to them.
In my personal experience, I have seen the anti-vaxxers far more vocal, fearful and combative about these things than those who are free to take the vaccine and those who are free to eat all foods as Paul discussed in the Word of God.
1 Corinthians 8:12-13 “…12 By sinning against your brothers in this way and wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes, my brother, to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to stumble.”
My husband and I do not tell others whether or not to take the vaccine, but we have had others revile and shun us for making our own decision on this matter. There is such a lack of love in reviling for things that God never commanded one way or another in His Word.
I respect that someone has decided for themselves not to eat certain foods or to get a vaccine. My only hope is that Christians will show the love and grace to allow others to make a different decision for themselves without condescending or combativeness leveled at them.
It is my desire that we all make our choices without judgment on matters that God never speaks about in His Word. It is also my desire that we love one another enough to allow others to have a differing view without mocking and intimidation.
Life is full of decisions we feel strongly about but are not mentioned in God’s Word. The key to this Christian life is to appreciate others so much that we are willing to be silent if something will be a disagreement. It is one thing to calmly and rationally discuss a matter to learn from one another, but quite different from mocking and intimidating others for their personal views, that God does not discuss in His Word.
God says the two greatest commandments are to love the Lord our God with all our hearts and to love one another as ourselves. We all want others to treat us respectfully, we should respect the choices of others that are not clearly outlined in God’s Word as well as learn to hold our tongues when we know it might be offensive.
One last thought, being combative and offensive does not change the views of those who have made their decision based on what Christ told them to do, it only serves to cause division and silence someone who should also have a right to speak.
I have no desire to convince anyone to do what my husband and I have done that is not sinning. We are not so weak that we must have others agree with us to carry on our lives. We wish that if there is a disagreement that there would be love extended and allowance for personal views.
Fear drives combativeness over things God never commanded. The fear that we will be alone in our own views. It’s alright to be alone in our view, we need not have the validation of others when we are obeying Christ. Let us seek to unite around God’s Word, not around worldly values or opinions.
John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
When we love one another we do not mock, intimidate or malign another brother or sister over something God never commanded.
I love my brothers and sisters, and I would enjoy being appreciated and loved by them too.
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