Conviction or Preference? October 15, 2006

I encourage those that find strength in God to join this Bible study. We are brothers and sisters and need to study His Word for our own spiritual welfare and we need to share insights God opens to us so that we might be able to help one another to grow in faith and knowledge. One of us might glean a truth that others need. So feel free to join in and share as you sense God calling to your heart.

Conviction or Preference?
Romans 14 & 15
October 15, 2006​

In recent weeks we have considered choices and consequences, and how our faith is supposed to be evident in our lives. I entitled that study “The Embodiment of Faith.” My aim was first to understand what is faith, and second to understand how faith is lived out in our lives. There wasn’t a lot of discussion on the practical application of faith in action. Only a couple of responses were posted in reference to our feet, and I don’t remember if anyone posted about our hands. I assume this is because I clearly understood what I was asking and looking for in the prompts, but didn’t convey this clearly.

This week, I want us to consider the difference between a belief that is a conviction, and a guide that is a preference or an opinion. In a practical sense, consider the topic of music in the church. There are some churches that have no instruments whatsoever. All singing and praise is acapella. Some churches have vintage pipe organs and piano. Some churches have orchestras, while others have bands. My point here is not the instruments but the attitudes and beliefs that go into our choice of music.

I have observed an attitude that some hold that there are “traditional” church instruments, even to the point of considering these the only appropriate instruments for worship. Some would cringe at the use of any instrument, some at anything other than an organ and piano. Drums, keyboards, and guitars would never be acceptable.

My point is that each of us has preferences. Sometimes we confuse the difference between our personal preferences and Scriptural convictions. We also need to have true convictions. Convictions are those core beliefs that are correctly understood beliefs that come from God’s Word. Our opinions are not at issue when it is a matter of conviction. Conviction comes from God illuminating a truth through the Holy Spirit. Convictions are the essentials of faith from which we should never waiver. Preferences are influenced by our background, our maturity, our culture, and a host of other issues.

I see a call for unity in God’s Word among believers. Yet I see an amount of discord among God’s people. Often the reason for this is that we confuse our preferences with our convictions. The church I attend, on the occasions when I am able to attend, is very progressive and open. There are bikers in leather there – the church even has parking spaces for motorcycles. There are very few coats and ties. I don’t believe that I have seen Eddie preach in a tie, much less a suit. In part, this is my preference. The music is jamming. The messages are based on God’s Word – but in a way that makes connection to everyday life. Eddie is beginning a series entitled “The Matrix of the Mind.” It is common for him to tie the theme of the message to a popular cultural reference.

I have attended churches where women were forbidden to wear pants, only dresses were considered appropriate. Folks that weren’t dressed in traditional “Sunday clothes” might be allowed in, but they would receive a few disapproving looks. Some folks believe that going to church means putting on your best clothes. Anything less is disrespectful. While I don’t consider this a conviction, some of those that believe this do and can tie it to scripture. I don’t share this conviction. But I consider it a preference and I do understand it. I also understand those that only allow acapella music, and those that prefer “high church” liturgy and worship. I understand that there are differences in what and how we worship and serve God.

I guess what brought this to my attention was a meeting of pastors that I attended. Two men approached me after I was “caught” talking to Eddie and some other progressive pastors. They admonished me to “steer clear of those guys.” Because “they weren’t true and did some questionable things.” I was stunned by their judgemental spirit and their audacity to imply that these Godly men were in error. (Note: not every person who claims to be a preacher is true, not every one is called, and there are false prophets and preachers. We are to avoid false teachers, but we are to make sure as we do that we do it based on God’s Word.)

The text this week is lengthy, so please open your Bible and read it several times and allow God to open its truth to you. The main topic addresses stronger believers and weaker believers and the response and responsibilities to one another. Specifically, the issues of food, festivals (holy days), and drink are addressed. I want us to consider what we hold as convictions and what we hold as preferences. There are other scripture references that I could have chosen. My observation is that we don’t consider our convictions that should unite us and guide our relationship with God, our fellow believers, and also unbelievers. Instead, it is often our preferences that do much to hinder our unity and peace.

I live in the South, the heart of the Bible belt. In my lifetime I remember when Christians were supposed to avoid going to the movies. Later, they were to avoid having TV’s. They couldn’t go to restaurants that served alcohol. They tried to avoid buying groceries at stores that sold alcohol. They even tried to buy gasoline from stations that didn’t sell beer. On Sunday, you could not work at your job, go fishing, go to the lake, play a game of football or baseball in the yard. A father and son might get by with a game of catch, but nothing beyond that. Almost all businesses and stores were closed. One pharmacy was open on Sunday in case of emergency and which one had to open was rotated week by week. My precious grandmother wouldn’t allow a deck of cards in her house. I remember that we couldn’t even play “Old Maid.” No Christians that I knew had a pool table, and it was definitely not acceptable to go to a pool hall. Most of these ideas are gone from here now. I ponder whether they were real convictions, or if they were preferences.



1. What are some basic convictions that should be common to all who profess faith in Christ? Hint: Think of the Apostle’s Creed: God, salvation, man…
2. Why is it sometimes difficult to distinguish between our preferences/opinions and Scriptural convictions?
3. What should our attitude be to those that don’t share our convictions?
4. What should out attitude be to those that don’t share our preferences?
5. I believe that there are some that choose to remain “weaker” in faith. They get attention and control by being the “squeaky wheel.” How should we respond to those that refuse to grow? Are we under the same obligations to them as we are to those new to the faith? What effect do these people have on believers that are pressing on toward maturity? Are we really helping them if we continue to let them continue their status quo?

 

ROMANS 14-15 NIV

14
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’”a So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way. As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no foodb is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

15
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”c For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jewsd on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name.” Again, it says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and sing praises to him, all you peoples.” And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul the Minister to the Gentiles I myself am convinced, my thers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”a This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you. Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you, I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ. I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed. The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

 

THE APOSTLES CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.

Amen.

 

I was raised Catholic. After I got divorced (21 years old) I felt "ex-communicated" so I left my small village in upstate NY and moved to Daytona Beach. I church hopped for more than 20 years. At first, I only went to churches that resembled the Catholic like Episcopal and Lutheran. The services were traditional, the prayers were familiar and I felt comfortable going through the motions on Sunday morning. Back then, these churches didn't offer bible study and there were no bibles in the pews (at least these churches in Daytona Beach). One day a friend, who was also a divorced Catholic, invited me to go to a new church that one of her clients attended. It was Southern Baptist After the service, which preached the message of salvation, we went to "Sunday School" which was bible study. I don't think I owned a bible except for the huge one that we kept birth certificates in, but Rosie shared hers with me. That day a seed was planted

Anyway, after that I was intrigued with finding out what all these different Christian denominations believed in (I had not yet given my life to Christ but, in retrospect, was being convicted and more seeds were being planted). I started looking up Statements of Faith in bookstores and, when the Internet emerged, online. I was beginning to understand the Gospel (at least intellectually) and even could see how my Catholic-school education taught salvation through Jesus Christ.

So, even before I became a Christian I learned that the ONE THING that isn't up for "opinion" is that Jesus Christ died in payment of our sins. We are born in a sinful state and our only hope for eternal life with God is through the blood of Jesus Christ. This is in the Statement of Faith of ALL CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS. If it isn't, then they aren't Christian.

[size=10pt]JESUS = SALVATION[/size]

 

rev,

people think convictions and preference are one in the same. My husband worked in music ministry for a long time. There were many older people in the church and they loved their hymns.We also had their children who were getting older and wanted something different. They were not uplifted by what they viewed, hymns as funeral music. The teens hated church and we wanted feed them too.

There were talented teens with music experience and we got a band togeather. To make a long story short, some of the older folks left. They viewed this new music evil because it had a beat. But you should have seen how proud the teens were to be a part of something, and it feed their spirits. I liked this music better myself. We did keep the hymns but we still caught flack from some of the older generation.

These issues of preference are often labled as Gods no, but try and find it in the bible. They are grey areas but many will try to make their preferences our convictions.

 

What are some basic convictions that should be common to all who profess faith in Christ? Hint: Think of the Apostle’s Creed: God, salvation, man…

To believe in one God, the Father, who made Heaven and earth. To believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. By the power of the Holy Spirit, he was conceived by Mary and was born. He was crucified and rose on the third day in accordance with scriptures. He ascened into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will have no end. To believe in the Holy Spririt, the Lord, the giver of life who proceeds from the Father and the Son. To believe in the Holy Trinity, three in one.

 

Joshua and Caleb are home this weekend (Yeah!!!), so I was looking at Caleb's The New Oxford Annotated Bible and wanted to share footnotes on Romans 14 and 15:

"Exhortations regarding those who observe Torah. The observance of special days and a kosher diet are marks of Jewish observance. The Gentile Christians of Rome must not despise the observant. Tolerance for other's observance. Those who eat only vegetables are most likely keepng kosher by avoiding "unclean" meat or meat 'sacrificed to idols'. Paul calls them weak in faith or conviction not because they adhere to the Torah but because they are scandalized by Gentile Christians who eat non-kosher food. Jews and Gentiles can, each in their own way, live in honor of the Lord. Freedom is not license to give offense. Stumbling block... hindrance. Nothing is unclean in itself. For the observant, however, non-kosher food is unclean. The kingdom of God, a rare phrase in Paul's letters. Peace... mutual upbuilding. Faith does not allow one to violate the conscience of others by encouraging them to act against their conscience. Put up with the failing of the weak, 'sustain the powerless in their weaknesses'. The goal of Paul's exhortation is that Gentiles and Jews should with one voice glorify God. Christ came to confirm the promises given to Israel. Despite confidence in the Romans, Paul has written boldly, compelled by the grace given him. Paul will present a holy offering to God, i.e. the Gentile Christians themselves. Paul sees himself as a herald more than a pastor."

 

It's so hard to not "have it our way" when we REALLY believe we know the way it should be. We want others to "be like us" and "think like us". We all also have a measure or pride.

Then, there's the strong pull from what we've experienced and what we've been taught by others.

And listening to the Holy Spirit is new to some of us. All through the first half of my life I thought prayer was me talking and God listening (or not listening). When it first became apparent that God could communicate with me.......

 

why is it difficult to distinquish between our spiritual convictions and preferences?

A spiritual conviction to me, is anything that is in the bible. We should be convicted by what it says ie follow what it says. of course we are human and won't be able to do that all the time. I feel we don't read the word as much as we should and so we dilute what it says. We may add or take away from the true word, happens many times when people have strong preferences and so twist the word to fit those preferences.

I try and respect others preferences, as long as it doesn't take away from the true word of God. Grey areas are spoken of in the bible, they are not sin and so should be respected by us all. For instance if I feel I don't want to wear make up for my own reasons thats fine but it would'nt be right if I imposed it on all woman. ( and yes I wear make up, need all the help I can get)

I think the issue with the new music is another area where God can reach teens. They will not be reached by music their parents listen to, but the older generation insists its the devils music My aunt who hates that music, and I talk about this. I asked her to give me a reason in scripture why its bad, she cannot, she has put God in a box. She just says she feels its not good.

 

Hebrews 5:12-6:1

...though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righeousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity...

 

I thank God for His Holy Spirit that lives inside Christians. He is not only a comforter but CONVICTS us of true sin. We just have to listen to that still, small voice inside us and truly go to God. Sometimes we make excuses or try to reason. At times like those, we stall.

Preferences/opinions are something entirely different. I was "exposed" to church as a child, a Baptist church down the street. We would attend VBS or participate in a church play. I came to know the Lord in my early 20's and was saved in an Assembly of God Church. We later attended a Methodist church; then I became Catholic. Now I attend a Vineyard Church which is over an hour's drive one way. This church meets my needs as well as my husband's needs in a church body. My point is that I have tried different Christian churches and should not criticize other's preferences. We all need to find our place where we "fit into" the body of Christ.

 

Sorry I was still pretty tired out from my hospital vigil where I wrote the quote above.

Hebrews tells us that we should not treat those who do not grow like we would a new person to the faith. What I get out of this scripture is that we should ensure that they have learned all the elementary lessons in case that is what is holding them back (you can't teach someone the concept of multiplication if they don't know what adding is). Next you should help and encourage them to practice their faith. I would guess that you should do this by inviting them to join you in practicing in the areas that God shows you they could use some help.

When I also take Paul's message to the Romans into account, I believe that God wants these people to grow and if you were sent into their lifes to help them, you must be very careful or you will stumble yourself. You are there to enrich them and build them up not hurt them or insult them or even worse turn them from God (they are in a weak position right now).

Pray. Pray lots. For yourself, for the person weak in faith and for what God's will is for this situation.

 

Pray for them and allow God to show them His love through you. Let the Holy Spirit lead you on what to say and when to say it but always say things in love.

 

As long as people understand that it is a preference we should respect their preferences. Everyone one has his or her own tastes and likes/dislikes.

Sadly, too often people who insist it has to be their way become stumbling blocks for others, especially for the younger generation and the new of faith. I have met people who have walked away not only from a church but from God because someone or a group of people have hurt them so badly.

Study groups like this and sermons on this subject are not only helpful for those who are not continuing to grow but also for those who have been hurt (and therefore their own growth stunted) by other Christians. When I first became a Christian I attended a church and a bible study with the person who brought me to the lord. In the church I was constantly given "looks" because I wore torn jeans and a T-shirt. I was told by several of the people I was introduced to that I should dress-up for church because by dressing up I was showing respect for the Lord. During the bible study I was told I needed to stop hanging around with my friends because they would bring me down and when I said "but Jesus hung with the dregs of society too" I was told well that was Jesus and I was too weak in faith for that. These people just didn't understand the torn jeans I wore to church were the only pair of pants I had at the time. The dregs of society I was asked to stop hanging around with were my only support network I had and in fact some of them were interested in learning about God's forgiveness. Needless to say I walked away from the church and the people there and wondered around on my own for a long time before I found a loving and accepting church who taught me that Christians are only human. For me at least, this lesson was the most important lessons in my growth so far.

 

Count them as brothers and sisters in Christ and receive them in love, as Christ has loved us. Focus on the wonderful things all believers have in common........eternal life with Christ. That should be enough to get past the differences in preference.

 

Jesus, what should my attitude be to those that don’t share my convictions?

Cathy, my child, you are to show My love to everyone you meet. I know it is hard to love the "unloveable", but I did so much that I died for their sins. Are you my follower? Do you hear my voice? Then follow Me. Show love, compassion and LISTEN to what others are saying. Show them Me through your obedience and actions. Pray that they will accept Me as their Savior. - Jesus

 

I don't know. If they are crying out for attention, maybe we need to just listen. Maybe they're confused or haven't been taught in a way they can understand. Sometimes, all we can do is show by example. Plus, we can pray for them. I'm thinking this question refers to two types. The first being the chronic complainer and the second being the luke warm Christian. I know the only way I can grow is to rely on the Holy Spirit. No person can make me grow if I'm not willing to listen to God.

Rev, is this a trick question?

 

I just had to laugh

 

No

It is a real question.

I have routinely seen these folks in many churches and have tried many ways to deal with them. At one church, I nicknamed them the "Cold Water Committee", because they seemed to throw cold water on every new idea.

Seriously, they can threaten the overall unity and health of a church. When things don't suit them, they are vocal. So a number of folks will give in because they don't want any controversy or bickering. I've seen great ideas pushed aside in order to pacify a few folks.

 

What should my attitude be to those that don’t share my preferences?

Acceptance. My husband and I drive over an hour (one way) to attend a church that we prefer. I know that there are people who don't see us at their church services locally (we tried three different churches - make that four). These people may assume that we have back-slidden. The ones who care have contacted us. But it is all okay. I pray I don't push my beliefs on other Christians, and that they do not push their beliefs on me. Acceptance.