the church of Christ
Romans16:16 "Greet one another with a holy kiss.  All the churches of Christ send greetings."

9For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. ¹⁰You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat."

What is a disputable matter?  What is the most common form of displaying that we have passed judgment on a disputable matter?

One: Matters that are not covered in clear black and white language in GOD’s word. The first conclusion that anyone should come to about things like this is that GOD has either determined them to be inconsequential or that each man can decide for himself about these things.

The second one is the one the church has the most consistent problem with. In GOD’s word a disputable matter means something that, in itself, will not save nor will it condemn a woman or a man’s soul. This is evident from Paul’s example here between eating meat and not. The reality of it is that this second definition of a disputable matter is what most of us argue over.  By the way condemnation through arguing is the most common method of passing judgment on a disputable manner!

We repeatedly argue and fight over disputable matters.

Here is a list of the church’s most common disputable matter subjects:

Speaking in tongues,  Healing,  Musical Instruments in worship, Musical Instruments in gospel music outside of worship, Fellowshipping or having Meals at the church building, Marriage pertaining to Elder ship qualifications, Alcohol, Smoking,  Baptism – if a person is not baptized in a building labeled the church of Christ – they are not saved. Acceptable Attire – this is expressed by what we wear that does not fit GOD’s description, Length of hair – both men and women

THERE are more!

Arguing over disputable matters does nothing to promote Matthew 22: 36 thru 40 - ³⁶"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" ³⁷JESUS replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'^{[2] 38}This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'^{[3] 40}All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Let me clarify it for you – whenever the church argues and or expresses their opinion over these subjects they invariably end up passing judgment. This judgment may be categorically or to a specific person’s life.

So as a result expressing our opinion almost always leads to complete annihilation of Matthew 7: 1&2 ¹"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ²For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." JESUS said this. Would you argue or defend you opinion to JESUS?

Can’t we see that it is OK for us not to judge? Can’t we see that judging is a horrible thing?

Why would we care about expressing our opinion and then defending it? "WE" WANT TO BE RIGHT!

Men’s egos cannot handle the expressing of an opinion if it does not agree or support their own.

As a result Elders, Deacons, Preachers, Old men, young men, me, old women and young women should keep their opinions to themselves.

Most significant point of all – man made doctrine is just man’s opinions. We all know that man made doctrine is wrong. We try to say that the church of CHRIST has no man made doctrine but the truth is any opinion that we state, that is not an actual fact from GOD, is an oral man made doctrine.

Leaders of the church believe that because JESUS says to feed HIS sheep that they, the leaders, can express their opinions in the pursuit of this feeding. The truth of the matter is GOD has already said what the feed is to be and it has nothing to do with any man’s opinion.

Isaiah 29:13 The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. [ 29:13 Hebrew; Septuagint [ They worship me in vain; / their teachings are but rules taught by men ]

So how do we discuss what the scriptures say?  Do we change my opinion to my interpretation? NO!  GOD's word is not subject to interpretation.

Let's try this:  Well my understanding of this scripture is ........!  That's a good approach. So why don't we men use this?  Vulnerability.  Drawing lines in the sand.  Challenges.  Egos.  We believe that we "know" the truth and if we do not assert our thoughts in the most aggressive manner possible we will appear weak.  Yea I say unto you.  The strong are not afraid of appearing weak for appearances mean nothing.

The truth is that anything you state is what you understand things to be, or, what you want them to be.  Neither one is necessarily the truth and the truth is all that we should teach.  The truth is all that matters.