Gray areas

M10150

TITLE: We need to use our gray matter in our gray areas!

INTRODUCTION: YOU CAN PUT YOUR BIBLES ON THE FLOOR - I DOUBT THAT YOU WILL NEED THEM. WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT GRAY AREAS.

I stayed a Sunday afternoon with a couple in South Dakota that were in a straight over the issue of shopping on Sunday. He managed a chain store and was told to be open Sunday afternoons. He was struggling with the need to follow his employer orders and his conviction that stores should be closed on Sunday.

I would like to talk about Gray Areas. Now let me stress that this is a study of our treatment of the subject of gray areas and not a discussion of specific gray areas themselves.

We talk about gray areas, we condemn others that differ from our beliefs in gray areas, and we feel righteous because we have the proper views in the gray areas.

We need to look at how we deal with these areas! We need to set some principles for gray areas! We need to place some logic into gray areas.

We will look at a gray area or two and discuss some of the issues.

QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS

Question # 1: If a person has a conviction about a particular gray area and he presents it to a class is he in error?

No. He is teaching the Bible as he sees it. He as all teachers and preachers must however, take a particular care in their presentations to be fair to the Scripture and use ALL the references that may or may not relate to the area in question both pro and con.

I have seen men use one verse that was out of context to "PROVE" their position in an area that is rejected by a vast majority of his own "CIRCLE". This should not be!

How wise it is to present a gray area is another question. The situation and receptivity and attitudes of all involved should be weighed. If it were going to cause division it would be questionable.

We find in James 3:1 that teachers receive a "greater judgment" and most agree that this relates to the fact that they affect so many people that they have a greater responsibility. (Heb. 13:17 also indicates the responsibility of the shepherd and leaders.)

If it is presented in a discussion situation there is openness to view both issues and might be very informative to all involved.

Question # 2: If a person that has a conviction about a particular gray area and believes it to be wrong condemns those that hold the other view is he in error?

Yes. Condemnation of another believer is not right in any case. To go to that person and discuss the issue would be right and proper.

Question # 3: If a person believes that this gray area is ok and condemns the person that believes it to be wrong is he in error?

If it is wrong for the previous question people to condemn then surely the standard is the same for both sides! A study of Romans 14:22-23 and context will show clearly that condemnation is not the way of peace!

Question # 4: Some say that these are areas of Christian Liberty. We are free to do as we please in this area, however those same people say anyone disagreeing with them is wrong. Is this really "LIBERTY" as they tell us? If we have Liberty then condemnation is wrong!

Question # 5: If Scripture is not clear on a particular item why are the people that hold to the belief automatically "WRONG" and why are the ones that do not hold to the belief automatically "RIGHT?” BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE LIBERTY-----RIGHT!!!!

Principles for gray areas:

1. "DO NOT JUDGE" needs to apply to BOTH sides of the discussion.

2. A personal conviction is a personal item which is personal business not open for discussion or condemnation by others as long as that conviction is between a believer priest and his God.

3. If all the gray areas seem to turn out white in your thinking possibly you should take a little time before the Lord, your Bible and your desk to reconsider these areas. If all the gray areas seem to turn out black in your thinking possibly you should take a little time before the Lord, your Bible and your desk to reconsider these areas.

4. Let the testimony you leave before the lost and young Christians be of concern to you. Is your action in this area going to be a problem to the lost and new Christians that are watching you? (Rom. 14)

5. We should base our Christian living on items that appear in the Scripture in several areas of Scripture, dispensations, and cultures.

Example: Tithing. I think that tithing is mentioned in every dispensation except the church age. This would be indication that the tithe is GOD'S - probably in the church age as well. However there are other principles of giving that appear in only one or two dispensations. These probably aren't for all ages. (Storehouse giving; the three tithe system of the dispensation of the Law.)

I might mention that there is other teaching in the New Testament which indicate that the believer is to give as God has prospered him and this would be more than the tithe from the looks of things. In the Church age the tithe is probably "THE LORD'S" and as under the Law the free will offering is over and above the tithe.

6. Rom. 14:4a,b "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth." Rom 14:12 "So, then, every one of us shall give account of himself to God." This is a context of "stronger brother - weaker brother" but the principle should apply.

7. Galatians 5:13-26 seems also to relate to this topic. It speaks of Christian liberty and the fact that probably neither side should be biting at the other.

8. There are some texts that MAY relate loosely to the thought.

Luke 9:49-50; Mk 9:38-40 In these texts we have John asking Christ about someone they had run across casting out demons in Christ's name. The disciples forbade the man. Christ responded that they should not forbid in such a case.

Acts 15:36-41 shows a sharp difference of opinion between Paul and Barnabas over Mark. In II Tim. 4:11 Paul asks for Mark to come to him. The possible application is drawn from silence - the silence of both Paul and Barnabas. Neither one seemed to raise the issue after it happened. CHRISTIANS DO DIFFER BUT IT IS THE ATTITUDE AND VERBAGE AFTER THE DIFFERENCE THAT COUNTS. WE NEED TO LEAVE THE DIFFERENCES ALONE!

PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS:

I notice that there is not an attitude of Christian Liberty for the other guy -- only for "ME"!

I notice that the gray areas that have taken a back seat to notice are being resurrected to help condemn someone on the other side of current gray areas under the guise of "those legalists.”

I notice that many today are in the business of building MY CHURCH and "MY CONGREGATION" not shepherding CHRIST'S CHURCH. If men today would concentrate on shepherding the sheep that Christ brings their way instead of seeing to it that "THEIR" people "AGREE" with "THEM", the churches would be growing much faster and people would take less time going from church to church looking for one where they can be accepted as they are, and not have to change or keep secret their personal convictions.

I notice that those that hold to the conservative side of gray areas are often labeled legalists. They practice their own things and practice legalism! However those that hold the less conservative side of gray areas often condemn the "Legalist.” INDEED BOTH SIDES OFTEN CONDEMN THE OTHER BECAUSE THEY DISAGREE. If a person is a legalist because he disagrees with me in an area of liberty and I condemn him as a legalist then I am condemning him because he disagrees with me and I am perpetuating my own form of legalism.

I NOTICE THAT BOTH SEEM TO BE LEGALISTIC!

I notice that the conservative side folks are condemned for using only part of verses or verses out of context. The fact that the less conservative folks do the same is ignored quite often.

Example: Col. 2:8 is quoted against the conservative folks. "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men," This verse is used to show the conservative folks are teaching the traditions of men. However the rest of the sentence reads "after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." shows that Paul was speaking of things taught that were based on the worlds principles not Christ's. To say that the conservative folks are teaching worldly principles seems somewhat dangerous to me.

There is little more application lest it be Romans 14:19

From the center of a passage speaking of freedom, of voluntary setting aside of that freedom, of each man giving account to Christ comes this statement: "Let us, therefore, follow after the things which make for peace, and things with which one may edify another."

I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANY CONDEMNATION - NAME-CALLING - OR RUNNING DOWN THAT EDIFIED ANYONE!

We might also remember that the Holy Spirit is capable of leading each and every one of us. If you are very sure someone is wrong on a point ask God to give both of you wisdom and time to re-evaluate your positions before HIM!

Indeed, to find principles in handling gray areas is almost a gray area in itself. There are very few texts to draw from.

I REALLY WONDER WHY WE SPEND SO MUCH TIME WITH THEM. It seems counterproductive in light of the HUGE job of evangelism that we have facing us.

A Question I like to present to people that are involved in gray areas is this. When we consider how to live before God are we using the WORD as our standard or the WORLD? It seems to me that as we are involved in these areas the controversy lasts only as long as the particular problem takes to become accepted in the Church. The Church follows a little bit behind the world in its lifestyles normally.

Many abhor the trash on the movie screen but a year or two later they are watching it on their TV screens. Many think the new fashions are terribly gross and never wear them until there is a cheap reproduction available. Many think the ethics used in business are monstrous yet we find them filtering into our churches.

IF WE ARE HONEST ENOUGH TO ADMIT IT, WE ARE JUST A TAD BEHIND THE WORLD IN OUR LIFESTYLES.

Let us follow the Word and the Lord and not the World for our Christian living.