Romans 14:5 English Standard Version (ESV) One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

This is but one small example of many opinions that can differ within the body of Christ. While we are encouraged to have unity in the spirit, our minds are still flesh. It is inevitable that some differences in opinions and emotions will occur. Being insistent upon being right in matters that the Lord does not define clearly will cause schisms in fellowship.

Why are there so many different church administrations? People gather and worship together based on comfort, peace of mind, and agreement about what principles of worship are important. It should not be that way but it is a fact. We prefer in our minds to hold certain issues more important than others.

When it comes to matters of faith we all want to be right in what we believe. This issue of days hits close to me because I have personal experience in the matter. I can see the other side and my opinion is that I do not have the right to argue my point and make others change how they choose to worship.

This issue has no permanent effect on anyone’s salvation unless we start making baseless accusations that places fear or doubt in the mind of another. How many different ways are there to baptize? Is one to be preferred over another to the point that we cannot understand why anyone should choose one way over another? When we refuse to understand why anyone should believe in any particular manner about issues that do not affect salvation we are wrong.

For a people who want to be right and do right we have allowed our opinions to cause divisions unnecessarily. Over the years I have heard many men of conscience admit, “I cannot worship there.”

John 4:24 English Standard Version (ESV) God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. That is a “must” issue.

Romans 10:10 English Standard Version (ESV) For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Justification and salvation are not the same thing. To clarify that statement we must look to biblical definitions and not what the world has to say about them.

Luke 16:15 English Standard Version (ESV) And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Men make excuses for themselves to escape the justice of mankind. There is no escaping the justice of God because He knows what lies in the hearts of all His creation.

Romans 3:25-27 English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁵ whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. ²⁶ It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. ²⁷ Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.

It is God who justifies, it is justice, it is a legal distinction ruled in the courts of heaven. It is a ruling by that court of not guilty by the blood of the lamb. The law of faith takes precedence.

2 Corinthians 4:16 English Standard Version (ESV) So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self^[a] is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

Salvation is an ongoing process that is renewed every day.

1 John 1:9 English Standard Version (ESV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We sin, we confess, He forgives and this goes on our whole lives. Salvation is not a one and done issue.