It’s Disputable

As the world battles an unseen enemy in the form of the coronavirus, one thing has become clear: we aren’t REALLY in this together. At the onset, there was a collective “we’ve got this”, but it has deteriorated into something far less harmonious. Friends and family members are entangled in heated debates over topics such as what level of control the government should have in our lives, how we should respond, and which scientific viewpoint is correct. While many of the debates may have a “correct” answer, I certainly don’t pretend to have that level of understanding, nor do I believe any of us have all of the required information to come to a conclusion. We’re all just trying the best we can to make sense of the information overload. The funny thing is, most people who claim to have figured out the “right” answers change their opinions almost daily, due to newly unveiled conspiracy theories or updated statistics. The one thing I hope most of us can agree on is that nobody knows the future. If we did, then we wouldn’t be having these conversations.

As I’ve wrestled with the implications of this wacky time, I’ve been struck mostly with a desire to know and understand what God expects of me. Do I comply with every CDC recommendation because I am a Christian and the Bible says I am to submit to the governing authorities? Is there a limit to the expectations God has of me in this regard? How do I respond when I feel afraid and lack confidence in our leaders? What significance does constitutional law have in the lives of Jesus-followers? And on the top of everyone’s mind — do I wear a mask or not?!?

Many of these are what the Bible calls “disputable matters”. I’ve been camping out in Romans 14 for the past few weeks, so it was a timely and welcome provision that our pastor chose this passage for his sermon last week. He confirmed many of the thoughts I’ve had rolling around in my brain for the past month, and he challenged me in the application of these verses.

This post has been in the development stage for about three weeks. I contemplated many angles and had written and deleted various debates I could address, such as, “Do those who refuse to wear a mask use toilet seat covers, helmets, and seat belts?” or, “If masks don’t work, why do healthcare workers wear them to protect themselves?” or, “Is the government testing us to see what we will do without question?” and, “What if we open up all businesses and churches on the same day to send our Governor a clear message?” I’m in Washington State, so that last one appeals to the rebel in me. I am also old enough to remember when wearing seat belts and helmets became required by law. The disparity of opinion at that time parallels the current argument over masks, so I could carry on a pretty decent debate over this issue if that were my goal.

But then I realized that I’m not interested in debating opinions,
though I could probably “win” a few arguments
at the expense of some relationships.

I am, however, interested in what God has to say, in what is concrete from His Word. As a believer, how can I extend grace to others who might not think the same way I do? The world seems intent on devouring one another with their opinions, so how can I be different and speak hope instead of fear? How do I show my faith is in God alone and not in those who seem to be orchestrating our every move? What does God say my role is in responding to my government? I’m certainly not an expert in any of these areas, but after much (internal) deliberation, I decided to share some of the things I believe God has been working on in my heart as I’ve considered these issues. I hope it helps someone else who may be asking the same questions.

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How can I extend grace to others who differ in opinion?

All of us have heard or seen people shaming family, friends, and even strangers for any number of actions or beliefs during this pandemic. We are obsessed with debating each other over whether we wear a mask or not, believe the government is overstepping or not, get together with family and friends or not, agree with conspiracy theories or not… you get the picture. As Bible-believers, how we respond to non-believers about these issues could make or break their interest in Whom we have placed our faith. If the world will “know we are Christians by our love” as the old song says, how are we demonstrating that truth in the midst of our disagreements?

If our primary response is one of fear over the virus or our lack of control, we minimize our faith in God’s protection and His providence in establishing our days. If our primary response is to fight for our freedom from any and all modifications to our lives, we minimize God’s use of learned men and women in science and medicine, as well as potentially elevate ourselves as more important than others. For these reasons, and because I personally have been pulled in many directions, it seems prudent to at least attempt to extend grace to all, regardless of where they stand on any particular issue. Since nobody knows the future, adamantly arguing for one side or the other only serves to show our ignorance. While there are certainly some black-and-white issues in this debate, forcing our opinions on the issues could push someone further away from the Lord, or it could sever a relationship with a fellow believer.

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Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.
One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak,
eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt 
the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge 
the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone
else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand,
for the Lord is able to make them stand. One person considers one day more sacred
than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced
in their own mind.
Romans 14:1-5

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind
not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 
I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean
in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is
unclean. If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat,
you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone
for whom Christ died.
Romans 14:13-15

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While this passage refers to eating specific foods or observing specific days, certainly the concept applies to current day disputable matters. We can express our position, give a reason for why we believe, and leave it there. We take it too far when we expect someone else to comply with where we have come in our own understanding of these matters, or when we belittle or look down on someone for not having the same convictions. As Romans 14:5 says, we should be fully convinced in our own minds of what we believe, which means that each of us may have a different opinion on disputable matters but we can still be united. It is only when discussing concrete moral (right vs. wrong) issues that we must be careful not to express “our” position and instead allow God’s Word to speak for itself. It is not my job to convict but to give a reason for the hope that I have and trust God to change either their understanding or mine.

What is my role as a Christian in responding to my government?

It might be shocking for me to say, but being Christian is not synonymous with being American. The Bible wasn’t just written for or to Americans; it was written for all people. While I believe in the premise of America and that we are tremendously blessed by God with the freedom we enjoy, Americans aren’t God’s “chosen people”. The Constitution of the United States doesn’t take precedence over God’s Word. I’m a Patriot, a Constitutionalist, and a staunch supporter of the 2nd Amendment, but I’m a Christian first. Therefore, my actions must first be consistent with what God’s Word says.

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Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority
except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established
by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against
what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 
Romans 13:1-2

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The Bible is clear that we are to obey the government God has allowed to rule over us. Scripture doesn’t make exceptions for ungodly rulers in this regard; in fact, when these words were written, the Romans were anything but godly, and yet, God still expected His people to submit to them. Today, Christians all over the world disobey evil rulers, some of which prohibit the possession of a Bible or gathering as a body of believers. As Americans, God has blessed us so abundantly that we’ve rarely had to concern ourselves with being allowed to worship our God or spread the gospel. As a result of our freedom, it stands to reason that many of us are alarmed that our church services were canceled.

If we are focused on the Bible instead of the Constitution, there is biblical evidence that civil disobedience may have its place in this situation. Peter and John defied the “rulers, elders, and teachers of the law” when commanded not to spread the gospel:

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Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all
in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes:
to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking 
about what we have seen and heard.”
Acts 4:18-20

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This passage begs the question, “Who were the rulers?” It might seem as though these were synagogue leaders who presided over the practicing Jews, but the term “rulers” refers to the Sanhedrin, the governing body that presided over the Jewish nation. The Sanhedrin were under Roman authority, but their rulings carried legal weight. These were the men who sent Jesus to Pontius Pilate so that he could carry out the crucifixion. It’s safe to say they could have made similar rulings regarding Peter and John.

What we know is that Peter and John did not stop speaking about Jesus. The gospel was spread because they knew that God’s laws are higher than man’s. We can see from their example that we are to obey our authorities as long as their laws don’t prohibit us from obeying God.

I believe that our local government (some of our Governors) are prohibiting us from obeying God in some specific ways. Those who are not able to work cannot fulfill the requirement that believers provide for their families. In my opinion, this is an area where Christians can reasonably apply Scripture to civil disobedience.

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Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household,
has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 Timothy 5:8

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Another area where I believe we can/should disobey our government is if/when we are prohibited from gathering together as believers or in speaking about our faith. We are individually part of the Body of Christ, each of us being an important member that God placed in the local church. The Bible is clear that we need one another and that we are to regularly join together in worship and fellowship.

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And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 
not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging
one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25

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Last week, President Trump told churches that the government is no longer going to stop them from opening their doors. Pastors across the country are bearing a heavy weight of responsibility as they consider how and when to resume holding services. Many have decided it is safe to open and leave the matter of attending to each person, while many have decided it is best to wait until they can put some measures in place that will keep their members safe. Still others have said they are opening soon but they need a week or so to get ready.

Here’s where this post may get a little uncomfortable…

Many high-profile Christian influencers are now openly criticizing pastors who haven’t immediately opened for services. This should not be! As our pastors and leaders take the necessary time to decide what is best for the churches God entrusted to them, we should be praying for them and offering our help, not belittling them for acting in fear. This is possibly the thing that has grieved my heart the most. Most are not acting in fear; they are trying to be good stewards of their calling.

Do we trust our pastors to pass on to us what God wants us to hear each week? If so, then we can trust they are seeking God in the matter of when to hold regular services. A majority of our pastors seek Him more than most of us on a regular basis, and many are in a position of waiting on God. Publicly shaming them or accusing them of acting in haste or fear not only damages the Body of Christ, it damages the already fragile reputation of the Church in the world’s eyes.

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“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you,
so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Jesus in John 13:34-35

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This time has brought out the best and the worst in us as Christians. We are tired. We need one another. We don’t know the future. We aren’t privy to all the facts. We miss worship. We’ve cleaned and organized all the things (well, some more than others). We are DONE with the homeschooling and being with our kids and spouses all the livelong day! We truly have so much in common, which is a good thing. Unity is what God asks of us.

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It is my prayer that this time will serve as a reminder of the great freedom we have in the USA to worship where we want without any fear of government interference. I pray and hope the “new normal” we keep hearing about ends up being a new urgency of the gospel and that Christ-followers everywhere would stop their complacency and be boldly unapologetic of the Truth. Absolute truth is worth a fight, but taking a firm stand on these disputable matters doesn’t further our witness or unity. If others can persevere and even thrive in countries that don’t allow them to meet legally, then certainly we can endure this time and ask God to use it for good.

God knows the future. He is still on the throne, He is in control, we never were in control, and He has a plan for each of us. We can rest in that plan, whether it seems good or bad on this side of eternity, because He has ordained our days. Someday we will be with Him, and nothing will prevent us from gathering to worship Him together.