Where in the Bible Can We Find

"NON-ESSENTIALS"?

There is a popular saying abroad that goes like this:

1. In essentials—unity (The virgin birth, the Deity of Christ, His atoning death, His death-conquering resurrection, salvation by grace alone through faith alone, the rapture.)

2. In non-essentials—freedom (The council at Jerusalem, tongues; miracles; Sabbath keeping; water baptism; the Lord’s Supper; healing; the church Christ is building; when did it start:?)

3. In all things—love (personal opinions, lifestyles, preferences in all things relative to daily living) These are matters that no one has a right to encroach on.

Comment on 3: While Scriptures do not explicitly address issues such as professional sports, television, recreation, politics, amusements, etc. there are important Biblical injunctions bearing on our relationship to the world that we’ll all do well to heed, such as Phil. 4:5; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Tim. 4:8; 1 Thess. 5:22; 1 John 2:15-16.

 

"In essentials—unity;
In non-essentials—freedom;
In all things—love."

 

It is said that this rallying cry was initially authored to support the need for tolerance when serious doctrinal differences erupted between major evangelical churches. It soon trickled down to lesser lights and spread rapidly. While it can never attain to the level of Scripture, what would be wrong with Christians using it as a general "rule of thumb" for peace-keeping purposes?

After all, it’s cute, it’s catchy; it’s simple, easy to remember, uncomplicated.

Certainly it would be folly to not recognize and acknowledge the truth of point three: "in all things—love." Paul declared that "neither circumcision nor un-circumcision availeth anything, but faith which worketh by love." Gal. 5:16.

Thus, where love is absent, faith is unworkable, it is but a bauble of fool’s gold—shiny but worthless. Without love we are an empty shell, a bird without wings. a song without music. 1 Cor. 13:1-2. With this all thoughtful Christians would agree.

But what about points one and two—In essentials, unity; In non-essentials, freedom?

"In essentials, unity."? Where did that come from? Certainly not from the Bible. Who of us can claim the right to put one truth or principle above another and say "this is essential, that is not."? Since when did God grant us permission to sit in judgment over His Word?

Note also the phrase, "non-essentials." Can you imagine the Holy Spirit communicating anything in His Word that is not essential to "the whole counsel of God"? We’re clearly told that "ALL Scripture is profitable...EVERY WORD of God is pure .....WHATSOEVER THINGS WERE WRITTEN aforetime were written for our learning..." 2 Tim. 3:16=17, Prov. 30:5; Rom. 15:4.

How dare we then think that anything from the mind of God pertaining to doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, is "non-essential."

Not only that, but all the (so-called) "non-essentials," (listed on page one, that I was once told are "doctrinal junk,") played an important part during the approximately 30-year transitional period, (taking believers from law to pure grace), as covered by the book of Acts and Paul’s epistles. Today these same "non-essentials" are indispensable guideposts to "Rightly Dividing the Word of truth." (2 Tim. 2:15)

"In essentials—unity;
in non-essentials—freedom;
in all things—love."

That millions in the denominational world have embraced this philosophy as a means of mending fences is interesting. "Ecumenicity" is one term they use for it. "Unity in diversity," is another. Brethren, let’s be very clear on this: tolerating clashing creeds and doctrines under the guise of unity, by whatever name, is pure, undiluted foolishness, for "God is not the author of confusion but of peace." {1 Cor. 14:33}

Well, then, where can we find unity? Ephesians 4:2-6 supplies the answer. Here we discover the cure for centuries of painful divisiveness that has wracked the body of Christ and fragmented it into thousands of sectarian names and programs. Ephesians 4 easily transcends any and all of man’s ecumenical efforts to keep rank, to live in peace To discover real "unity," let’s look at what God has already given us in Christ Jesus.

In Vss. 2-3 of this remarkable fourth chapter of Ephesians, three things are apparent. First, our attitude, VS. 2. One cannot fault humility and patience. Second, our part. Vs. 3. Each of us should endeavor to KEEP (hold on to) the unity we have in Christ and to seek no other. Third, our motive: Vs. 3. "in the bond of peace..." To peacefully encourage one another to walk in God’s incomparable oneness.

 

EPHESIANS 4:4-6

It is clear from verse four that we are to recognize but ……….

"ONE BODY" - the body of Christ, the one, true church Christ said He (not man) would build. Acts 2:47; Eph. 1:22-23; 3:4-6; 4:16; Col. 2:19) In this present climate of apostasy, few will admit that denominational churches are counterfeits of the church Christ is building; that these man-made, man-organized, money controlled institutions are but the product of gifted men. Yet none can deny that these commercial steeple houses, by their endless assortment of names and programs, separate Christians instead of uniting them. At the same time, they yoke saved and unsaved together in these unholy unions that God can neither own nor bless.

"ONE SPIRIT" — Here is the Christian’s teacher/guide. Jn.16:13-14; 1 John 2:20, 27.

"ONE HOPE" — Christ, our "blessed Hope," soon to rapture us out of this vale of tears. Titus 2:13.

"ONE LORD" — we are to recognize Christ alone as our commander and chief. It is from Him that we receive our marching orders—through the apostle Paul during this age of grace: Eph. 3:3-11; Phil. 3:17; 4:9.

"ONE FAITH" — the Word of God: Jude 3; Rom. 10:17.

"ONE BAPTISM" — the baptism of the Spirit into Christ Gal. 3:27 with 1 Cor. 12:13

"ONE God and Father…who is... in you all."

Brethren, commonalities unite, and that is precisely what God has given us in Ephesians 4—seven commonalities of the Spirit, to crown our work and labor of love. May God help us to enjoy, to be content with, and to be continually enriched by, this blessed union we already have in Him. We seek no other!

Yours in the bond of Christian love,

Bob Thompson

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P.S. I want to say again that I thought the message given Sunday in Dana and Donna’s home, (6-4-00) relative to judging, was excellent—the speaker touched on principles we all need to be reminded of from time to time, guidelines that can guard us against making hasty, ill-advised and unscriptural judgments.

But more importantly, the preacher emphasized the fact that we have the divine privilege of judging ourselves each day in matters of faith and practice. And why should we thus judge? It is KNOW whether we are building with "gold, silver and precious stones.... [or].... wood, hay and stubble," commodities that will determine our eternal rewards—or lack of them. (See 1 Cor. 3:11-15; 1 Cor. 11:31; 1 Peter 4:17.

And how can we tell the difference?

As we (1) daily separate ourselves wholly unto the lord, (2) apply ourselves to the study of His Word, allowing it to lighten our path, and (3) as we put the truth we know into shoe-leather, we can discern God’s "good and perfect will" for our lives, thereby assuring our hearts before Him as to what building blocks we are using. 2 Tim. 2:15; 2:19-21; Lev. 20:26; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Eph. 5:14; Romans 12:1-2.

Many evangelical Bible students concede that denominational churches are, indeed, counterfeits of the church Christ is building, that these man-made, man-organized and money sustained institutions are not the handiwork of God but rather the work and ingenuity of gifted men. Yet they go right on supporting them with their time, money and presence. for what they consider social, moral and "religious advantages"—fellowship, Sunday Schools, numerous activities for young people, entertainment, value added to resume,

of us are aware, from Scriptures and observation, that denominational churches are counterfeits of the one, true church Christ is building. Men’s churches are not the handiwork of God but the work and ingenuity of gifted men. Sadly, these religious institutions divide Christians one from the other, instead of uniting them, while they yoke saved and unsaved in unholy fellowship

Many evangelical Bible students concede that denominational churches are, indeed, counterfeits of the church Christ is building, and that these man-made, man-organized and money sustained institutions are not the handiwork of God but rather the work and ingenuity of gifted men. Yet they admittedly go right on supporting them with their time, money and presence for the sake of appearances as well as social, moral and religious reasons. Sadly, these religious organizations divide Christians one from the other, instead of uniting them, while they yoke saved and unsaved together in a fellowship God can not bless.

appearance reasons. many will go right on supporting these renegade organizations with their presence, for what they consider social, moral and "religious advantages"—fellowship, Sunday Schools, numerous activities for young people, entertainment, value added to resume, of us are aware, from Scriptures and observation, that denominational churches are counterfeits of the one, true church Christ is building. Men’s churches are not the handiwork of God but the work and ingenuity of gifted men.

Sadly, these religious institutions divide Christians one from the other, instead of uniting them, while they yoke saved and unsaved in unholy fellowship

Changing the subject, after lunch at Dana and Donna’s home (6-4-00), some of us men were sharing the Word when one of the brethren commented on the fact that at the judgment seat of Christ our works, not our sins, will be judged. This is true. At the cross our sins were judged once and for all in the person of Christ, Consequently, the cross, and all that happened there, and Christ’s glorious resurrection from the dead, constitute the fountainhead of all grace and eternal redemption for every true believer. Col. 1:14; 1 Cor. 15:3-4.

But, some may ask, how will our works be judged? Since "without faith it is impossible to please God," (Heb. 11:6) our works will doubtless be weighed against the Book of faith, the Bible. Meanwhile, we all have the divine privilege of judging ourselves each day in matters of faith and practice, to prove whether we are building with "gold, silver and precious stones...[or]...wood, hay and stubble." 1 Peter 4:17; 1 Cor. 11:31; 1 Cor. 3:11-15.


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