Paul (and Piper) on Opinions

Have you ever sharply disagreed with another Christian on an issue of conscience; an issue where the Bible allows us freedom to form our own opinions on what we believe is right and wrong?  Obviously, the Bible does not give us the freedom to decide whether or not adultery is right or wrong, or if murder is right or wrong; but it does provide us freedom on a host of other issues.  But what do we do when we bump up against another sincere brother or sister in Christ whose opinion on a particular issue is diametrically opposed to our opinion?  What happens, after you have given real thought, prayer, and study to a specific issue, only to find that someone else completely disagrees with the opinion you have formed? 

Romans 14 deals with such a situation and gives an answer we might not expect.  In Romans 14, Paul instructs the Roman Christians on how to deal with differing opinions within the body of Christ.  Certainly a relevant topic!  In his particular case, one group of Jewish Christians and Gentiles would eat only vegetables in order to avoid eating meat sacrificed to idols.  Another group regarded certain days of the year with higher honor than others, while yet another group regarded all days alike.  Each groups' opinions, however, were formed from a desire to please the Lord (Romans 14:6).  So, Paul instructs both groups to welcome each other and avoid judging one another for their differences in opinion.  Makes sense! 

But what might be the tendency among those Christians who love unity and desire peace among the church in this situation?  It might be to simply lay aside opinions altogether for the sake of peace, "Well, if there is the potential for sharp disagreement among the brethren, and sharp disagreement usually leads to fights and factions in the body of Christ, why not just avoid forming opinions altogether?"  Paul, however does not seek unity on this basis.  Paul instructs the Roman church: "Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind" (14:5).  In other words, if you want peace and unity in the body of Christ, the answer is NOT to forsake forming opinions.  In fact, Paul tells us to, "Get an opinion."  Get convinced.  Get a conviction.  Peace in a community of believers is not nurtured by being wishy-washy and indecisive. 

Piper explains, "Therefore, I conclude from what Paul says that the way for disagreeing Christians to get along with each other in a truth-honoring, Christ-exalting way is not to breed indecisiveness on minor issues.  The answer to judgmentalism and despising others and not accepting others is not vacillation, wavering, indecisiveness, and uncertainty about what to do.  That might create a kind of peace.  People without opinions tend to be able to get along pretty well.  But evidently Paul does not believe the solution to Christian disagreement is for all of us to become wishy-washy–even on the minor issues.  When Paul weighs the risks of the mindset that can't come to a conviction and stand for it, versus the risks of the mindset that has convictions on all minor matters, he chooses the second set of risks.  In fact, he advocates for the second set of risks: 'Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.'" (Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind (Online Sermon), John Piper)

Of course, our opinions must be attended with a spirit of acceptance, as Paul explains in the first part of Romans 14, "Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions."  But nonetheless, we must always seek to glorify and follow after Christ with our opinions, not forsake forming opinions altogether.  The latter approach will dishonor Jesus and weaken the Church.  Therefore, let us be a people who are fully convinced and sure about how we are living.