While a missionary with the North American Mission Board, I met a church planter starting a church in a politically liberal city. With a population high in college students and young professionals, this witness was badly needed and my friend and his wife were excited about their calling.
One summer a mission team from Texas traveled cross country to serve with my friend. As they unloaded the trailer, my friend took note of the many cases of bottled water the team unloaded. As he tells the story, in preparation the planter had asked them to forgo bottled water this trip. He explained that, in the value system common across this city, plastic water bottles are considered wasteful, bad for the environment, and would be a hinderance to the team’s ministry with this new church. Though the leader said he understood, when the team arrived out came case after case of Dasani, Smart Water, and Sam’s Choice.
The missionary asked the team leader, “Please, put it away or leave it in the trailer. We have water and reusable bottles for you.” The leader answered, “We can’t let these liberals set the agenda. They can’t take away our right to drink what we want.” And so began the worst week of this congregation’s young life.
Rights are complex. Some, like the right to life, are non-negotiable. Christians should stand without apology for the unborn, unjustly accused, disabled, abused and all human life others might devalue.
But others are like the bottled water. It may be convenient to bring water for the trip, and I am legally entitled to drink what water I choose. With plastic straws, even. But if by exercising this right, I create an offense within the church family or add an unnecessary barrier to the gospel, I sin.
When writing to a church with a similar dilemma, Paul said in Rom. 15:2, “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” There is so much more meat in this text, but at its core, when it’s not one of those essential points, the right thing for Christians is often to yield.
Matters worthy of debate abound, such as life, fidelity to God’s word, loving God and neighbor, proclaiming the gospel to all peoples, and disciple making. But we never get to these when we cling to preferences and entitlements when we should yield.
Yielding just might be the ignored spiritual discipline.
Blessings,
Bro. Jim