by Bill Robinson, Jr.

Unfortunately some among us think, even when they have the truth on some issue according to the Bible, it gives them permission to demand conformity to their way in all things. In this the party-spirit is born. For, ultimately, with the leaders of the party it is no longer conformity to objective truth (Bible) that matters, but assenting and acquiescing to the speech, judgment, and thinking of the party. No doubt they "think they do God service" (Jn. 16:2). Yet one wonders if God must not feel at times like the fellow who said, "Save me from my friends and I fear not my enemies."

According to the party, a person’s soundness is determined by whether or not he says a thing just like the party says it. Any deviation from the party’s accepted way of saying it is viewed as a trend pointing toward apostasy.

Yes, words have meanings. However, when speaking about biblical matters, all are to be held to the same standard: "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ..." (1 Pet. 4:11). When one preaches or teaches the question should be, did he accurately bring the words of God, rather than did he say it like we say it?

Yes, we must "contend earnestly for the faith" (Jude 3). But we need learn the difference between contending for the faith and being contentious over our way of saying or doing a thing. While we preach and teach about spiritual matters in the context of our culture, there are going to be ambiguities, not with the word of God per se, but with our understanding of the applications to the divine principles. We must recognize divine principles do not change. Furthermore, legitimate applications will not and cannot bring us into conflict with these principles if we are truly seeking to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus our applications to the unalterable and unchanging principles of God’s word must undergo examination and oft-needed revisions to be more consistent in our practice and claims, as committed servants of the Lord Jesus according to truth (Eph. 4:20-24).