By Jon Beaty
“We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). These words, spoken by Jesus' apostles, reflect their commitment to sharing the gospel despite facing imprisonment, beatings, and death threats. Throughout history, faithful Christians, including Seventh- day Adventists, have encountered opposition inspired by Satan and those who demand submission to human authority over Divine command. Despite these obstacles, they held onto their convictions and interacted with their adversaries with Christlike humility. The tensions between truth and lies are escalating. Are you prepared to stand against forces who oppose God? Are you prepared to do it with grace?
Standing Firm with Liberty
The pioneers of the Adventist movement held strong convictions. Some of these men and women stood firm as their beliefs faced challenges from inside and outside their ranks. Others wavered. Among the faithful pioneers, Ellen White, emphasized the sanctity of personal conviction: “You belong to God, soul, body, and spirit. Your mind belongs to God, and your talents belong to Him also. No one has a right to control another's mind and judge for another, prescribing what is his duty…. God has given us freedom to think, and it is our privilege to follow our impressions of duty. We are only human beings, and one human being has no jurisdiction over the conscience of another human being.… Each one of us has an individuality and identity that cannot be surrendered to any other human being. We are individually the workmanship of God,” (Ellen White, Mind Character and Personality, Vol 2. , p. 708)
As they developed the doctrine of the Great Controversy between Christ and Satan, early Adventists grew to value liberty of conscience. Preaching the Three Angels’ Messages to the world included advocacy for each person’s right to choose how, and whom, to worship (see Revelation 14:6-12). This advocacy included figures like Alonzo T. Jones, who in the 1880s stood before the U.S. Congress and opposed a bill to establish a national Sunday law. The church’s concept of liberty of conscience also extends beyond worship, as seen in Adventists’ historical support for conscientious objection during the Civil War and World War II.
The principle of liberty of conscience rests on five key elements:
1. Respect for individual autonomy
2. Freedom from coercion in matters of conscience
3. Acceptance of differing convictions
4. Separation of church and state
5. Commitment not to violate others’ liberties
When preparing to stand firm on our convictions, we must also consider how acting on our convictions impacts others. These elements allow us to obey God while speaking truth in love (see Ephesians 4:15), even when convictions differ within the church. Exercising our freedoms must not infringe on others’ rights (see 1 Corinthians 8:9), aligning with Jesus’ command to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Standing Firm with Grace
Scripture provides examples of standing firm with Christlike grace. Daniel and his friends respectfully declined to eat forbidden foods, refused to worship a golden image, and survived a lions’ den, enduring and punishment without contempt for their captors. Jesus, facing crucifixion, asked the Father to forgive His enemies. For their preaching, the apostles endured persecution without tarnishing their reflection of Christ’s character. Igniting the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther declared his conscience “captive to the Word of God” without showing contempt for his persecutors.
While standing firm on conviction, we must reflect Jesus’ love and humility.
In the words of Jesus: "You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust,” (Matthew 5:43-45 NKJV).
Unity in Diversity
God designed the church as a community where believers encourage one another to grow in love and good works (see Hebrews 10:24-25). Fellowship strengthens our resolve to live righteously. But even in the church disagreements arise over biblical interpretation, faith practices, or church policies. The early Christian church faced similar issues, such as debates over Gentile believers’ adherence to biblical Jewish customs, like circumcision. They resolved these issues through humility and unity of purpose: to reflect Christ’s character and enlarge His Kingdom.
Ellen White stressed unity amid diversity: “Unity in diversity among God's children… is the testimony that God sent His Son to save sinners” (Our Father Cares, p. 38). Pride can lead to division and contention, but humility fosters understanding and collaboration in seeking God’s truth.
Resolving Conflicts with Humility
When we have a disagreement with fellow believers in the body of Christ, here are four practical steps we can take:
1. Listen first: Understand others’ perspectives through thoughtful questions and attentive listening.
2. Pray together: Seek God’s wisdom, trusting His promise to guide in the search for truth (James 1:5).
3. Focus on unity: Emphasize shared faith in Jesus’ forgiveness and our need of His righteousness to counter Satan’s divisive tactics.
4. Seek collaborative solutions: Find resolutions that honor biblical truth, respect
personal convictions, and set aside personal preferences for the sake of saving
lost people and building up God’s church.
Standing Firm in Truth and Love
Upholding truth is not as simple as correcting errors with the right answers. Loving others as we love ourselves means accepting the right of others to express differing convictions as we stand firmly on our own beliefs. Anything less undermines the truth God gives us to share. Are you prepared to rise to the challenge of standing firm on your convictions with Christlike humility?
Jesus calls His church to stand firm in their beliefs while living in unity. By choosing humility over pride, listening over arguing, and prayer over contention, we reflect Jesus’ love and build up each other. In a world of opposition, let us stand firm with grace, uphold liberty of conscience, and walk humbly before God and each other.