We live in a “PC” world. Not personal computer, but Politically Correct! One such aspect of political correctness the philosophical, “Agree to Disagree” (AD). From this absurd teaching many have acquired the notion that what people believe doesn’t matter and worse this philosophy has infiltrated religion and even the Lord’s church opening the door to personalized church and corrupting many by the false teaching, “If you love Jesus, that’s all that matters”, even though Jesus said, “If ye love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
The (AD) philosophy sounds like the best way to reach peace, yet it is far from what will make for peace between God and man. Why is this a danger? Because (AD) will eventually eliminate the need for truth, and the need for the Bible. You don’t need biblical truth, if you just agree to disagree on the subject of faith. This false teaching will create less division between men and men but is, in part, cause of the “great gulf fixed” (Luke 16:26) between man and God. Paul pleads with brethren— “speak the same thing” (1Cor. 1:10). Think about that for a moment. If God wants us all to speak the same thing, where does disagreement fit in? Paul writing by inspiration leaves no doubt—it doesn’t: “…that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”. Anyone who would have you believe there is legitimacy in the (AD) way, disagrees with the Creator. God Wants Unity!
There is nothing immaterial, inconsequential or unimportant about spiritual matters, about faith, and the way that leads to an eternal home in Heaven. Take the (AD) in a nonchalant approach to truth, souls to be lost, starting with our own. The foolishness of this world believes there isn’t any real truth, that in fact objective truth is a myth. On December 10, 2006 Webster added a new word “truthiness”. Called the Word of the Year, coined by a comedian. How appropriate, and sad for this shows the disrespect that is common in our society for the objective truth of God’s word. No matter what mankind does or says, truth will always exist.
When it comes to salvation, either we agree with the New Testament or we do not, there is no middle ground. Paul admonishes us, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Notice with all diligence the words, “approved to God”. We must understand that teaching (doctrine) is either from God that is “scriptural” (2Tim. 3:16-17), or it is from man, unscriptural and vain (Matt. 15:8-9).
Without unity, one cannot be in fellowship with God for His word is the truth that brings us together in one with the Father and the Son (John 17:17, 20-22). One is either abiding in the doctrine of Christ or not, and if not, no relationship exists between that person and the Father (2John 1:9-11). Jesus never talked about any middle ground or compromise; never taught us to agree to disagree; never taught one man’s opinion in spiritual matters was equal to God’s. When the Pharisees were wrong, Jesus spoke truth, without compromise. Every soul’s salvation is born out of truth period (James 1:18). We must by faith accept truth, that is God’s word, as it is from Him, truth. Only then will it effectively work in us (1Thess. 2:13). Our Salvation depends upon this.
Truth is, the phrase (AD) is entirely absent from the whole of the Bible. It is not only absent, but God’s word teaches exactly the opposite for example: Paul said, “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them” (Rom. 16:17). Does that sound like agree to disagree? Paul nearly a year after writing 1 Corinthians 1 and verse 10 reminded them saying, “…Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you” (2Cor. 13:11). What? Paul said if you want peace and love from God you must “be of one mind”? Yep, that’s exactly what he said! Here’s a simple question: “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” Amos 3:3. What’s your answer? I hope it agrees with God’s, because you can’t walk with Him if it’s different (1John 1:5-6).
The word of truth is clear, Paul did not teach us to agree to disagree with those who taught a different message, in fact he makes it abundantly clear, that vain philosophy won’t fly with God’s church. Listen to what he said, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:6-9). Does that sound like Paul is opening the door for compromise? Is Paul making an argument for people to “agree to disagree”? What is your answer? If you still think it’s ok to practice such, think about what Paul wrote concerning two heretics named Hymenaeus and Philetus. He compared their teaching to a spreading cancer calling it “profane and idle babblings”, that increased to more ungodliness (2Tim. 2:16-18).
Again, the Bible, God’s word teaches, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1John 4:1). Where is it written, it doesn’t matter what they believe or teach, as long as we all love Jesus? Nor did Jude teach us to “agree to disagree”. Hear what he did teach: “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4). He did teach us to fight for or contend for the faith (v3). Today many foolishly teach, “Unity at Any Cost”, Unity through Diversity” and other such foolishness. But neither Paul nor Jude ever compromised the truth to achieve a form of harmony with man.
Remember Peter, what do you think, would he have taken issue with (AD)? Did Peter side with God or men on this issue? Read for yourself: “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed” (2Pet. 2:1-2). What do you think?
It should be crystal clear at this point that God wants unity with man and is not in any way willing to compromise how that unity is to take place. Staying faithful to the authoritative words that came from God is the only way to achieve real unity with Him and with each other. Still have doubts? “Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” (Prov 30:6). “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you” (Deut. 4:2). “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it” (Deut. 12:32). “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, [b]God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God[c] shall take away his part from the [d]Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Rev. 22:18-19).
The only path to unity is to accept the authority of scripture, and hold an attitude of “God said it, so let it be”. If you’ve been taught differently, now is the time to abandon that teaching and believe God’s word. Learning to agree with the Bible brings real unity. Not just among God’s people, but more importantly with God and His people.
God Bless you
In Love
Dave Scarpino