The One Command of Scripture That Could Solve 99% of Church Splits

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. Romans 14:1

We split up the church over the silliest matters. Style of music? Style of dress? Translation of the Bible? Physical location? Building program? Seriously?

Paul instructs the church at Rome to accept those with differing opinions. ‘Accept’ meaning to open up your arms and invite them closer, not merely to tolerate and hold at arms length. And whatever we do, we’re not to dispute over disputable matters. And just in case the church might have a question about what is disputable and what is not, Paul launches into two examples in the following verses, touching on two controversies that would have seemed very indisputable to the Jewish Christians present: dietary laws and the observance of the Sabbath.

You can honor God just as much through traditional music as you can contemporary. Casual dress can honor God just as much as formal dress for church. Unless you’re preaching from the original Greek and Hebrew, then you’re preferred English translation is just that: a preference. Location or buildings should never be the cause of a church split because the church has never been the buildings. It’s always been the people.

A careful observance of Romans 14:1 could have saved countless church splits and immeasurably improved the church’s influence in its community.