| It is sad and regretful that some fundamental Christians have set up standards of separation that are neither Scriptural nor fair. We come dangerously near being like the Pharisee who “prayed thus with himself, God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are,” or the Jews of Isaiah’s day, who said, “Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou.” To be sure, we ought to separate ourselves from all known evil, and the Word of God so instructs us. “Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” But the same chapter tells us to “follow after righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” There are certain things about which even spiritual Christians do not agree, things that are not explicitly covered in Scripture. “One believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak [in faith] eateth herbs. … One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” This is the principle to apply to doubtful things: “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Let us not “make a man an offender for a word,” but “receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” |
