Separation Without Schism
By F. L. Lemley
[Page 173] |
Every separation is not a schism, nor is every dissenter a heretic. Paul and Barnabas found it necessary to sever companionship in order to do mission work, but this was not a schism (Acts 15:39). Incidentally, both were right! Paul had in view the good of the work, while Barnabas had in mind the good of Mark. In this separation there was a severing of fellowship (participation together) without an accompanying exclusion from the fellowship (God's family or brotherhood). No exclusion circles were drawn! Neither of the principals exhibited the marks of heretics, that is, perversion, immorality or rebellion. Both men were pure in heart and free from guile.
Every dissenter is not a heretic. Any child of God may be mistaken on many points, but a mistake is not a sin until another ingredient is added, that is, some form of depravity. As long as a child of God has a pure heart and right motives, he has freedom both to be correct and to err, for without freedom to err there is no freedom at all. Many truths are learned through trial and error, and while error is undesirable, not all errors are fatal. God's grace allows us freedom to err in many areas. Therefore, not all dissenters are heretics, and a dissenter does not become heretical until he begins to build an exclusive sect around his convictions, be they right or wrong. The zealous one who says "I am of Christ" in an exclusive spirit, is just as heretical as one who says "I am of Paul (or Luther)" with the same spirit. It is depravity of heart which makes one a heretic, not a mistake of the head!
Many godly, obedient and humble brethren have been branded as heretics simply because they exercised their God-given right to express their strong convictions and stand by them. We have no right to require brethren to violate their consciences, even when they are wrong. If our differences require that we work and worship separately, so be it! Let us glory in the fact that we may separate without schism, and that both may stand before God, for he is able to make both stand (Romans 4:3, 4), even when one of them is mistaken!