Galatians 5:6 says, “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision: but faith which worketh by love.” There are some things that do not matter. There are some things we may do any way we desire. There are other things for which God has specific laws. When God has told us to do something, we must do exactly what God has said. If he has told us how to do it, we must do it the way he said to do it, but if God has told us to do something and has not told us how, then the way we do it is left strictly to our judgment.
When we start making those opinions law is when we are going too far! For one to say that something must be done to his liking and want everyone to do it his way, he has gone too far! There were those in the first century who said that a man had to be circumcised before they could be saved (Acts 15:1). Nowhere did Christ or any of His apostles ever teach such a thing. Someone was going too far. They were making an opinion law.
Christ told his apostles to go into all the world and preach the Gospel (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16). He told them what to preach, the Gospel, but He did not tell them how to go. They walked, rode animals and boats; Christ did not tell them how to go, they could go anyway they wanted. He did tell them what to preach. They could not preach anything they wanted. They had to preach the Gospel. The Gospel will save man and that is what God wanted done then and even today. For someone to say we must go by bus, trolley, car, jet is going too far. We are never told how to go, but we are told to go. Let’s get busy going and teaching God’s saving message!
Many times Noah and the ark are used as an illustration. Noah was given specific commands to carry out. Noah was told to build an ark out of gopher wood (Gen. 6:14 – 22). Noah could have built that ark out of any wood that he desired, but it would not have done the job. He had to build the ark out of the wood God told him to. Also Noah was told to build the ark to a certain size, to have so, many windows, and so many doors. Could Noah have added more? Yes he could have, but it would be disobedient to God. This writer is glad that Noah built the ark just like God said (Gen. 6:22).
What kind of tools did Noah use? We are not told; God did not specify; therefore he could use any and all tools that he had.
Some want to think that music in our worship does not matter. If it does not matter why did God say to sing? Every passage in the New Testament that deals with music in the worship tells us to sing! (Here are the passages that deal with singing in worship: Matt. 26:30; Acts 2:47; 16:25; Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb 13:15; James 5:13). So can I change God’s worship and be pleasing to Him? Also along those lines is there one command more important than any other command? Is the command to believe less or more important that repenting? Is taking the Lord’s Supper more or less important than singing, giving, praying or preaching? Some want to think that as long as they partake of the Lord’s Supper that all is well. Who said? Give me book chapter and verse that the Lord’s Supper is the most important item of worship that we do upon the first day of the week? It is important but it is not any more important that the rest of our worship to God.
Some want to make serving in the military a matter of faith. If it is then please answer these questions:
- Was Cornelius ever told to get out of the military, if so where is that found in the Bible?
- When John was questioned about those serving in the military why did he give these commands? 1) Do no violence to no man, 2) neither accuse any falsely; 3) be content with your wages [Luke 3:14]. He did not tell them to get out of the military!
- Why did Paul use the military for safety from the Jews when they wanted to kill him (Acts 22:25 beginning through the rest of the book of Acts)?
- If a man does not protect his wife, has he denied the faith and is he worse than an infidel (1 Tim 5:8).
- When Paul told those in Ephesus that they were to love their wives even as Christ loved the church, and gave himself for her (Eph. 5:25), is this not protecting our wives?
- Could you allow someone to enter your house and rape and pillage your family?
- If you vote, do you not vote for the commander-in-chief of the military? Is this wrong?
I use to think that it was a matter of opinion but I am not persuaded after studying the Bible that it is. God used military forces to correct nations and even His own beloved nation of Israel. If you could not serve then that is your opinion but it is not law and certainly not God’s law. Great and godly men have been on both sides of serving in the military and have presented good sides, but it is still a matter of opinion. Let us not make matters of opinion law. Neither let us make matters of law opinion.
Love Keith
