Here's a passage that is a challenge for myself, and I think I'm not alone on this. We have a tendency to judge each other on many disputable matters. There are countless issues that Christ's 'church' has divided and fought over. I am guilty of judging those who still maintain these divisions, or who hold tightly to traditions that are not central to scripture.
I encourage you to think of a type of Christ follower that you have felt judgmental about, see if you can rephrase some parts of Romans 14 to fit. I think it may do us all well to look at this passage through some of our current issues.
PLEASE NOTE: the following is NOT Romans 14... it is not meant to be scripture... it may have some similarities to Romans 14... but it's been squished and reshaped like playdough.
I'll contribute a few, please include yours in a comment.
"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to view the 'church' as all those who follow Christ, but another man, whose faith is weak, accepts only those who go to a church similar to his. The man who see's Christ's church as all those who follows Christ must not look down on him who does not, and the man who thinks his traditions are best must not condemn the man who doesn't, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. "
"One man considers the teachings of John Calvin to be a great way to understand the gospel; another man doesn't. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards Calvinism as special, does so to the Lord. He who sees a different emphasis in scripture does so to the Lord."
"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. If you think one way of doing church is better than another, fine, but do all you can to make sure your brother who likes a different tradition still knows you love them."
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of doing church activities, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men."
"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of different traditions. "
"So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God (and on your blog... ???)"
1 comment:
"One man considers the 66 books in our Bible to be God's Word - 100% accurate as if written by God himself; another man doesn't. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards the Bible as 'The Word', does so to the Lord. He who believes Jesus is 'The Word' does so to the Lord."
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