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 We
are repeatedly, and I do mean repeatedly, asked about
"fellowshipping" the "liberals;" and each
case must be answered in the light of what the querist means
by "fellowship" and "liberal." One -who
rejects inspiration, the virgin birth, literal resurrection of
Christ, etc., is not my brother in Christ; nor are those who
refuse to obey the gospel of Christ. I believe I am in a common
relationship (a sharing relationship with God) ONLY with those
who believe in the Christ of the Bible, and who seek to follow
Him according to Bible teaching. Is this conclusion not related
to my understanding of Bible teaching? It is! How else
could any conclusion be drawn? This doesn't make truth relative,
but certainly makes my response a matter of my convictions —
and that is exactly what God expects of me (Rom. 14:5, 12,
22-23; 2 Cor. 4: 13). My understanding doesn't make
or break another's s fellowship with God — that is
between him and God — but it does affect my concept and
response.
I
can, and do, believe I have brethren in Christ who are in error
in their conceptions of various matters. I recognize my own
potential errors. Our common relationship in Christ is not
broken because we have different understandings. If we have
honest differences we should continue to study together as
brethren, seeking divine truth;
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and I have tried to consistently follow
this course. But even while we are studying together, I should
not expect him to support, promote, or engage jointly with me in
an activity he believes to be contrary to God's will. Nor can I
jointly engage in such matters with him. For either of us to do
so would be to violate our conscience. My refusal to support his
institutions, for example, does not mean that I no longer regard
him as a brother in Christ. He can prove we have a common
interest in serving God, even as I must do so, by a mutually
honest and continued search for God's truth on the matter.
The
time could come when I no longer believe he IS making such an
effort — and in fact I have found many such cases; but this
does not mean that all who accept his conclusions are in the
same dishonest boat. I am willing to approach each case on
its own merit. I remain aware that my decision is not the
equivalent of God's fellowship; but each of us has an obligation
to God to act in good conscience and with pure conviction.
It
is sinful presumption to assume that because I could be
mistaken, I should therefore participate in matters I sincerely
believe to be contrary to the will of God.
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