Disagree, but let love prevail...

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13: 34-35)

During the past few days I have been engaged in a bit of a debate with one of my former pastors. Not only is this preacher one of my former pastors, but I consider him to be a good friend as well. I value his opinions and his incite. While I sat under his ministry, God used him to bless and encourage me in many ways. I fully believe that God has placed he and I in each other's path for a purpose. That being said, we sharply disagree on certain theological positions.

Our debate has been over theological subjects that the average Christian may never even think about. The debate we are having is not new. We both believe God -through Christ- saves sinners, but we have some differences of opinion of how God brings it to fruition. In short, our debate is the classic "Calvinism vs. Arminianism" debate. I would guess that some of the questions involved have been debated, in some form or fashion, throughout church history. Great men of God have been on both sides of the debate. That being said, my friend and I are not likely to ever solve all the questions and issues involved.

What I want to emphasize this morning is this: though he and I have strong theological disagreements, our Christian love for one another must be at the center of everything. To break fellowship over these issues would be wrong. To become angry and hateful to each other would be sin. To make personal attacks upon each other's maturity or intelligence would be abominable. Sadly, many so-called Christians cannot have these discussions without getting angry and breaking fellowship!

My friend is a brother in Christ. He's no heretic. He's been adopted by the same Father who adopted me. He has come to different conclusions than I have on a number of doctrines, but even so, we are family. As such we must love one another though we do not agree on certain points of doctrine. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul says if we have not love, we are nothing! In our disagreements with other born again Christians, let us remember to be sure love is at the center of everything. The Lord said people will know we are His disciples when they see our love for one another!

In the many areas in which I may disagree with other Christians, I often recall -and I am encouraged by- the relationship of George Whitefield and John Wesley. Wesley was an Arminian and Whitefield was a Calvinist. Their differences in theology were sharp and pronounced. Even so, I ask you to read and take note of what is written of Whitefield's dealings with and opinion of Wesley:

"Although George Whitefield disagreed with John Wesley on some theological matters, he was careful not to create problems in public that could be used to hinder the preaching of the gospel. When someone asked Whitefield if he thought he would see Wesley in heaven, Whitefield replied, "I fear not, for he will be so near the eternal throne and we at such a distance, we shall hardly get sight of him."
(W. Wiersbe, Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching and Preachers, Moody Press, 1984, p. 255.)

I must thank my friend for me even being able to cite the quote above because it was he that brought it back to my memory in one of our correspondences! I hope he will soon accept the Doctrines of Grace as the true exposition of Scripture, but if that does not happen, it is my greater hope that our friendship and Christian charity will never be affected.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (1 Corinthians 13: 9-13)

May God help us to love and pray for our fellow Christians who disagree with us. May God enlighten and guide us into all TRUTH!!

Soli Deo Gloria!

-Rhett