Author: Fite, Jerry

Issues seem to be more numerous among brethren today than they were two or three decades ago. Denominationalism and Institutionalism were the two main areas of concern when I began to preach the Gospel. Over the last few years, Divorce and Remarriage, the Deity and Humanity of Jesus, AD 70 Doctrine, Days of Creation, plus where to draw the line of fellowship regarding these subjects have become matters of importance that need to be resolved.

By establishing beliefs and practices through explicit command, approved example and necessary inference, we can clearly show that God approves of our practices and therefore promote unity.

The importance of love cannot be over estimated. It is the avenue through which faith works (Galatians 5:6). Love is what all are to follow after (1 Corinthians 14:1). If one has faith to remove mountains, but has not love, he is nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2). We may know accurately many things. However, we have yet to know, as we ought, if we do not manifest a self-sacrificing love towards our weak brethren (1 Corinthians 8:2; cf. Romans 14:15). Paul ranks love as the greatest, in comparison with the important abiding things of faith and hope (1 Corinthians 13:13).

The Bible tells us of the sad effects of drunkenness and how to avoid it. Don’t even start down the road to drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18). Abstain from drinking parties, for they lead to, and accompany drunkenness (1 Peter 4:3); Maintain a sober vigilant mind so the Devil cannot devour you when your resistance is low (1 Peter 5:8); And be protective of your example so that no action of yours leads another to sin (Romans 14:23). By not drinking alcoholic beverages, you will take the wise step in meeting these demands of God.

By keeping “marriage” and being “bound” by law distinctive in our minds, we can see that two people can be bound and scripturally married to one another (Matthew 19:5-6; Romans 7:2). One can be unmarried, but bound (I Corinthians 7:10-11). One mate can be unmarried but bound, while the other mate is free to remarry (Matthew 19:9). And, One mate can be bound to his first mate, while unscripturally married to another (Mark 6:17-18, Romans 7:2-3).

As we can understand the mystery of salvation in Christ for all men, because it has been revealed, every man can also understand through the same revelation of God’s mystery how he should walk in Christ. Paul exhorts, “As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and builded up in Him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7).

God organized the church on the local level only. Through its collected resources and the expended energy of its individual members, the local church is a powerful buttress for the truth. Committed individuals to the truth is where it all begins. Unite them in a local community in preaching, practicing and defending the truth, and you will see the truth of God standing firm and influencing the hearts of men, where it has always counted.