Source/Author: Dr. Michael Dalseno

A lot of confusion sometimes occurs over commitments and expectations in churches and organizations because people do not understand the diferences between what is a clear Command from God's Word, an agreed Standard that was set for the good of family growth and harmony, and the personal convictions of various individuals.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BIBLICAL MANDATES, COMMUNITY STANDARDS AND PERSONAL PREFERENCES

BY Dr.M.P. Dalseno

Crucial to understanding the “nature” of an issue, debate or argument is the ability to make a fundamental distinction between Biblical Mandates, Community Standards, and Personal Preferences. Something like, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt.28.19-20) sounds like a direct command from God. However, the ruling of James and the elders in Acts 15.19-20 (on sparing the gentiles from circumcision) sounds like a standard being set for a group of disciples to follow. Still later we come across a scenario in which Paul has Timothy circumcised (Acts 16.1-3) but not Titus (Gal.2.3-5), due to their different contexts of ministry. This sounds like Paul exercising his personal preferences for these two men.

A Biblical Mandate is a clear directive from God’s Word. They are binding on every believer; no matter who they are, where they are, or what circumstances they are in. The commands are not open to debate or change, and nor do they go out of fashion. They apply to all believers in all contexts in all cultures in all nations. They represent God’s infallible authority, and are not to be excused, rationalized, liberalized, reduced to fads, or explained away.

A Community Standard is a rule or expectation that is established by group authority in order to further and foster the organization, its purposes, order, safety, wellbeing and the growth of its members. These are community “laws,” not Biblical laws, and represent a set of standards, rules and procedures applicable to the group. They are binding on its members, and are to be respected and followed as they have been devised for the common good. Though they are changeable, through the appropriate venues in proper ways, they should never be discounted or ignored. Being a member of a group implies agreement with its rules and values.

A Personal Preference is a value, belief or opinion which you personally hold to be a good methodology, rule or practice to live by and act on. They are personally applicable to you, not others. They are not to be confused with the Word of God, or even community standards, and other people should not be ridiculed for not adhering to your personal preferences. They may even reflect what the Lord has said to you, requiring your obedience. Though they should never contradict the tenor of scripture, they are neither right nor wrong in themselves; just a personal preference.

Understanding the difference between these three categories helps us considerably with rightly dividing the “nature” of an issue at hand.