TWO APPLICATIONS OF GOD’S GRACE

1. Absolutes/Doctrine: SAVED BY GRACE• Salvation by grace cannot be

compromised.2. Convictions/Relationships: LIVING BY

GRACE • Believers with freedom must show

sensitivity and grace in their personal behavior as an expression of love to those with other convictions.

FREE – BUT ACTING IN LOVE

• (1 Corinthians 10:27-28) If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. {28} But if anyone (a believer?)says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake—• (Romans 14:15) If your brother is distressed

because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.

SETTLING DISAGREEMENT IN THE CHURCH

• The doctrine of Salvation by grace must be clear. • Moral absolutes about sexual purity must be clear.• Keep to the issue. Don’t assume or attack

motives.• We will avoid much conflict if we show grace and

sensitivity in disagreement about non-essentials.• The Holy Spirit directs through leadership.• God uses the unity of church leaders to resolve

disagreements in the church.• Some disagreements must be settled in order to

bring encouragement and unity.