"What Can I Do to Promote Love, Peace, Joy, and Righteousness Among Brethren?"
Steven J. Wallace
"Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another" (Rom. 14:19).
This is a question I penciled in the front of my Bible a long, long time ago. Perhaps it was written not long after I began preaching. It is a question that stared at me through the years as I opened up that leather-bound volume. It is a question worth considering today as well.
The apostle told the brethren in Rome to pursue the things which make for peace. What might that consist of? Well, these would be the things by which we can be edified or built up. The charge was written within the context of authorized liberties. Yet with these liberties, some were causing disputes (Rom. 14:1). Some were despising those who couldn't (in good conscience) participate in certain liberties. At the same time, those who could not participate were judging those who could (Rom. 14:3). The irony is that the discord stemmed from matters that God was indifferent to. Tragically, some were destroying the work of God over such things (Rom. 14:20)! "How can I promote peace among brethren?" was lost!
Let's lovingly bear with the scruples of the weak (Rom. 15:1).
Will I be willing to forgo a liberty for the sake of peace? I should never want to purposefully do something that will make my brother stumble, become offended, or enfeebled spiritually (Rom. 14:21). Yet I should also patiently work toward and help others arrive at the proper conclusions about liberties. Paul wrote in Romans 14:14, 15:
"I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died" (emp. added, SJW).
I should "know" and be "convinced" by the Lord in whatever I do (Col. 3:17). A mature mindset affirms, "in matters of faith, unity; in matters of opinion, liberty; and in all things, love." Yet some can become grieved. They interpreted some liberties (as in the case of eating meat in Paul's day) as an act of rebellion or perhaps even idolatry. In time, the weak should become convinced of the things Paul was convinced of. The strong must also temper their knowledge with love.
Avoid idle babblings and foolish disputes (2 Tim. 2:14, 16, 23).
There are some disputes that Paul calls foolish and ignorant. No one is so haplessly misdirected than one who knows not, and, knows not that he knows not! The flames of such ignorant disputes are stoked by hijacking words, lifting them out of context, and striving over them to no profit. Such discussions surely digress into profane and idle babblings which increase to more ungodliness. Sadly, this refers to the loss of respect for God's word as the fruit of such discussions.
Solomon warned long ago, "Wise people store up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction," and, "Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge" (Prov. 10:14; 14:7).
Contend for the faith (Jude 1:3).
There is something we should contend for. There are disputes that we must enter in prayerfully and be prepared for. We are to obey and live by "the faith." Yet, there is only one faith (Eph. 4:5). With patience and humility, we must boldly contend for the faith (2 Tim. 2:24-26; 2 Cor. 3:12).
At the same time, those who twist the ways of the Lord must be "exhorted" and "convicted." To convict is to have their error brought to light, placed before them, and exposed (see Titus 1:9; Eph. 5:11).
There is a time to "debate your case with your neighbor…" (Prov. 25:9). When it is based on "the faith," fruitful discussions can follow, and lasting good can be accomplished. Jude wrote that we are built up in the most holy faith (Jude 1:20).
Pursue the things of the kingdom (Matt. 6:33).
The nature of any "kingdom" involves a king, citizens, rules, and boundaries. Jesus is our king, and He has all authority (Matt. 28:18; Rev. 17:14). His citizens are those who upon learning His ways are born into His kingdom (Jn. 3:5). His rules are found in the New Testament, given by the apostles from Matthew through Revelation. All of these books were written for the church after Jesus ascended. The apostles were ministers of the New Covenant, and they established boundaries in the light of God's message (1 Cor. 14:37; 2 Cor. 3:6; Eph. 5:8-10; Col. 1:13; 1 Jn. 1:5-7).
Pursue peace by pursuing the Prince of peace. Let's be faithful in our service, assemblings, and have consideration for one another (Heb. 10:23-25).
"Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another" (Rom. 14:16-19).
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