Articles
OPINIONS! WE ALL HAVE THEM
Opinions! We all have them and in many cases, we want everyone to accept our opinions as
“gospel truth”. Opinions are seen and heard in the church on a regular basis: shorts vs. slacks
(regarding adults!), ties or no ties, New International Version or King James Translation. The list
continues: pews vs. chairs, white or yellow paint, carpet or tile, etc. (and this is only the hem of
the garment!). Everyone has an opinion, and unfortunately, if others don’t agree, then they are
certainly in the wrong!
Opinions have been a part of the Lord’s church from its beginning. Jewish Christians were
of the mind that Gentiles had to be circumcised to be officially accepted into the church (Acts
15:1). This “opinion” was the reason for the council at Jerusalem and after some debate, it was
determined that they (the Jews) should not “...place upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which
neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear” (Acts 15:10).
But what about our opinions? What if Scripture doesn’t confirm our opinions —one way or
the other? Who is right and who is wrong? When the Christians in Rome struggled with opinions
regarding the eating of meats and the observation of certain holy days, the apostle Paul gave an
answer that satisfies even our opinions today. 1) “Accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for
the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions” (Rom. 14:1). 2) “Let us not judge one another
any more, but rather determine this —not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s
way” (Rom. 14:13). Our opinions may not be right or wrong, but perhaps in light of Romans 14,
our opinions would be better considered as either good, better or best.
There is much that could be shared regarding our opinions and how to deal with the opinion
of others, but I share with you a final thought which I fear is too often overlooked in dealing with
each other and our personal opinions. What about our love for one another? Paul also spoke at
length about our love (1 Cor. 13) and especially about “...not seeking our own, is not provoked,
does not take into account a wrong suffered…” (1 Cor. 13:5; Phil. 2:3). There are just some
things that are not that important, but because we think so (opinion), then we feel that we can be
critical of others. Euodia and Syntyche (members of the church at Philippi) were in disagreement
with each other over something (possibly personal opinions?). Paul urged for them to live in
harmony (unity) in the Lord. Our love for one another and unity in the church is far greater than
winning an argument of opinions. “So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and
the building up of one another” (Romans 14:19). ~P. Mowrer
