Once upon a time there were two Reformed Baptist Churches at opposite ends of the country. They were very similar. Both believed, loved, and taught the doctrines of grace. Both were involved in gospel outreach. One was led by a pastor with a team of elders, the other by a pastor and deacons. We shall call these the leadership teams.

Mr Black was a member at one church and Mr White at the other. Both were godly men who cared deeply about God's honour, truth, and cause. One summer holiday they both happened to read a biography about George Whitefield, and were horrified to understand more fully the violent opposition of John Wesley to some of the precious doctrines of grace. They could hardly believe the vitriolic way in which John Wesley denounced parts of God's truth. They were reminded of how close John was to his brother Charles. Quite independently they both concluded that it was wrong for their church to sing hymns by Charles Wesley. They could both see that an important point of truth was at stake. Not to deal with this issue would be the beginning of a slippery downward slope in which standards would be increasingly compromised. They were both sure they were right. They were sure others would agree with them.

On his return from holiday Mr Black shared his new conviction with some close friends in the church. After much discussion some of them strongly agreed with Mr Black. During this time Mr Black became more and more concerned about the wrongfulness of singing Charles Wesley's hymns. He stopped singing these hymns whenever they were chosen at chapel. His personal quiet time often became dominated by this issue. 

Eventually he went to the leadership team, explained his grave concern, and asked them to agree not to sing Charles Wesley's hymns at chapel. After prayerful consideration this request was rejected. Mr Black was very upset about this and felt he was being attacked. However, he was encouraged by two Bible verses: No weapon formed against you shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17) and Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).

He therefore raised the matter at the next church meeting. He got some support. However, the church endorsed the view of the leadership team. Mr Black found he could no longer profit from the ministry and shortly afterwards he and some of his close friends left the church. He was sad but thankful because he believed he had pleased God by doing what he could to promote righteousness.

Mr White took a different course. On his return from holiday he prayed over his concern. He felt that concern continuing, so therefore decided to raise the matter as soon as possible with the leadership team and before speaking to anyone else about it. During this time he heard a sermon from I Peter 5:5 - Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility.

Mr White went to a great deal of trouble to explain his view as clearly as possible to the leadership team. However they rejected his request to stop singing Charles Wesley's hymns. They pointed out that the hymns of Charles Wesley that they sang were all truthful on points of Christian doctrine and experience. Mr White was initially very upset, but he unreservedly accepted the decision, put the issue out of his mind and continued his active service in the church. True, there were some occasions when singing a hymn by Charles Wesley that his mind would go back to that summer holiday and what happened afterwards. However, he was helped to focus his mind on three things: 

(1) It was possible that he was wrong. No Christian is perfect. Nothing erroneous or unbiblical was actually being sung in the worship life of the church. The leadership team were godly men who had come to a careful and prayerful decision. In that decision they had sought to submit to the Lord Jesus Christ as the Head of his Church and to the Bible as the Word of God. They had sought the leading of the Holy Spirit as to what was the right thing for their church at its particular stage of development. They had sought to submit to one another in the fear of the Lord.

(2) Even if he was right, he had adequately discharged his responsibility. At that great and awesome Judgement Day he would be free of any failure (1 Corinthians 3:13-15). The leadership team were accountable to God for giving a lead to the church. If they had got it wrong then they, not he, would be responsible. He had fully discharged his responsibility by raising the issue with the leadership team as clearly as he could, and then cheerfully and unreservedly submitting to their decision.

(3) Even if the leadership team had made the wrong decision, he could rest content that God will ensure that Jesus gets all the glory that is his due. God's ultimate purposes can never be thwarted. Nothing can rob God of his glory.

Reader, what about you? Your issue will be different. Is it the choice of a different Bible version; or a new hymnbook; or singing hymns by a particular author; or some other proposed change to present church practice? We long to see God mightily at work, converting unbelievers, building up his people. These blessings only come in the context of church unity (Psalm133). Church unity requires effort - Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). That effort includes mutual submission (1 Peter 5:5). There are issues on which true Christians will come to different conclusions as to what is the right thing for a particular local church.

When did you last cheerfully submit to something in church life that was strongly contrary to your personal convictions or preferences? Who is right: Mr Black or Mr White? Which one will you be?

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