Don’t Divide Over Minor Differences
Unity Insights | Posted on January 4, 2024 at 8:11 AM by Jeff Bennett
“One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.” – Romans 14:5 – Christians have a terrible tendency to exaggerate minor differences, as though every difference in religion were a differing religion. This all-or-nothing attitude is divisive and rejects the legitimate distinctions that […]
Don’t Judge Another’s Motives
Unity Insights | Posted on August 31, 2023 at 9:18 AM by Jeff Bennett
“Who are you to judge another’s servant?” – Romans 14:4–5 – To obey God, we must not only follow our own consciences but also love and respect those whose convictions differ from our own. In the gray areas of the Christian life, we should focus on obeying what Christ commands us to do, not on [...]
Less Rigid, More Pliable
Unity Insights | Posted on July 6, 2023 at 8:37 AM by Jeff Bennett
“I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself” – Romans 14:14 – Some Christians pride themselves on being strict and stern. Their idea of righteousness is having rigid requirements that must be precisely followed. They pride themselves on their uncompromising standards, not caring that their harsh legalism [...]
Differing with Deference
Unity Insights | Posted on June 1, 2023 at 8:29 AM by Jeff Bennett
“Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father” – 1 Timothy 5:1 – Disrespecting respected people is divisive. When we demean those whom others esteem, we offend people who then defend their leader, often by attacking us. So how should we differ with notable figures without creating conflict? Jeremiah Burroughs offers [...]
Truth and Unity
Unity Insights | Posted on June 16, 2022 at 8:05 AM by Jeff Bennett
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. – John 17:17 – Soon after Solomon died, Israel divided into a northern kingdom ruled by Jeroboam and a southern kingdom ruled by Rehoboam. Fearing he would lose his people’s allegiance if they kept returning to the temple in Jerusalem, Jeroboam made two gold idols for his subjects [...]
Think Before You Speak
Unity Insights | Posted on October 28, 2021 at 7:09 AM by Jeff Bennett
“He who restrains his words has knowledge.” – Proverbs 17:27 NASB – Today we can instantly inform the world about whatever we happen to be thinking. But the Puritan pastor Jeremiah Burroughs wisely offers three cautions that help us to see how hastily sharing our opinions can cause unnecessary conflict and division between believers. Other [...]
Don’t Judge Another’s Motives
Unity Insights | Posted on August 12, 2021 at 7:10 AM by Jeff Bennett
“Who are you to judge another’s servant?” – Romans 14:4–5 – To obey God, we must not only follow our own consciences but also love and respect those whose convictions differ from our own. In the gray areas of the Christian life, we should focus on obeying what Christ commands us to do, not on [...]
Less Rigid, More Pliable
Unity Insights | Posted on June 17, 2021 at 7:07 AM by Jeff Bennett
“I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself” – Romans 14:14 – Some Christians pride themselves on being strict and stern. Their idea of righteousness is having rigid requirements that must be precisely followed. They pride themselves on their uncompromising standards, not caring that their harsh legalism [...]
Differing with Deference
Unity Insights | Posted on May 13, 2021 at 7:57 AM by Jeff Bennett
“Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father” – 1 Timothy 5:1 – Disrespecting respected people is divisive. When we demean those whom others esteem, we offend people who then defend their leader, often by attacking us. So how should we differ with notable figures without creating conflict? Jeremiah Burroughs offers [...]
Sharing Without Dividing
Unity Insights | Posted on November 19, 2020 at 8:43 AM by Jeff Bennett
Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. – 2 Timothy 2:23 – Beliefs about God are personal but not private. Christians are to share what we believe with nonbelievers and to talk about our faith with other believers. Yet talking about religion is notoriously divisive, so how do we share our convictions [...]