In conversations with people of varying religious backgrounds I often hear the phrase, “Well, that doesn’t really matter.” Very often the statement will be along the lines of, “Well, it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere.” “It doesn’t matter how you worship, just so long as you worship.” “It doesn’t matter which church you go to, just so long as you go.” I’m sure you’ve heard all those statements and more. My question remains, who gets to decide what matters and what doesn’t?
Among all the things that God teaches us through His word and all the things He has commanded us to either do or not do, are there some commands that are optional? Are there things that we can do or not do as we please? The answer to that question is a qualified “yes.” While there are many things God has strictly commanded there are some areas He has left to our discretion. So the final answer to the question, “Who gets to decide,” is God decides.
For example, it is imperative that the body of Christ in a given location meet at some point on the first day of the week for the purpose of sharing in the Lord’s Supper and hearing a message of encouragement and edification (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 14:1-5), giving of our means (1 Corinthians 16:1, 2), and to express love for and to encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24, 25). The time of day, the duration, and the order of each meeting has been left up to the leadership of each congregation. Every congregation of which I am aware has a meeting time prior to the noon hour. Some meet earlier and some later, but all meet. Additionally, regardless of the meeting time, all things are to be done “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). That is just one example of where we have some “leeway” as to when and how we fulfill a command God has given us.
But what about some other issues? Someone says, “It doesn’t matter whether you use instrumental music in worship or not, so long as your worship is sincere.” First, sincerity is not the proper criterion for determining the validity of an opinion. No one was more sincere in their beliefs and actions than was Saul of Tarsus (23:1). Yet, he was wrong (Philippians 3:7-11).
Many people will cite references to instrumental music being used by Moses, David, and others in the Old Testament. It is true that instrumental music was used (by command) in worship under the Law of Moses and there are many basic principles taught and exemplified in the Old Testament that are still valid today. However, we are not under the Law of Moses. That law has been fulfilled (Matthew 5:17) and taken out of the way (Colossians 2:14). Therefore, unless a similar command is issued in the Law of Christ (the New Testament) we have no authorization for using instrumental music in our worship. What we do have is the authorization/command to sing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; etc.). Those who say that use or non use is optional obviously do not understand the allowances and prohibitions of a law. When God authorizes/commands a specific thing that eliminates everything else. When God commands us to worship Him (Matthew 4:10) that eliminates the worship of anyone or anything else. When God specifies that baptism is the act that puts a person into Christ (Galatians 3:27) that eliminates any other means of entry. That principle is true throughout the Bible. When God gave the Law of Moses He instructed the Israelites to not deviate from it in either direction (Deuteronomy 4:2; 5:32, 33). In the New Testament we have the same instructions. Don’t “go beyond what is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6). Stay inside the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9). Do not add to nor leave out what has been written (Revelation 22:18, 19).
So yes, we may pick and choose what time we meet on the first day of the week. We may order and reorder our services to best suit the accommodations we have. We may determine what is the best place to meet in light of our circumstances. When we sing we may sing old songs or new songs. We may sing harmony or in unison, but we must sing. We may use an electronic edition of the Bible or we may choose a hard copy with giant print, but we must use God’s word for our guidance.
In short, God decides what is required and what is optional. It does matter what you believe because God has said it does (John 8:24). It does matter how, who, and what we worship because God has commanded the how, who, and what of worship (John 4:23, 24). In fact, lots of things matter because God has said that those things do matter. So don’t follow fables and itching ears (2 Timothy 4:1-4).
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