Romans 14:1-12
Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgement on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgement on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honour of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honour of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honour of the Lord and give thanks to God.
We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God. For it is written,
‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall give praise to God.’
So then, each of us will be accountable to God.
Reflection
How it seems we all like to get our opinion out there and make sure everyone knows that only our opinion is the one that is correct and the one that counts. How we love to hear ourselves talk and be the expert in everything. Well... some of us like to do this... but I don't think all of us like to do this.
One of the things I enjoy the most about the Saturday Morning Men's Group that I attend at church is hearing the opinions and viewpoints of the other guys present. That's what I really want to hear. That's what sparks my mind and spirit to think about God and our relationship with God in different ways. After all... I know what I think for the most part. I'm the first to admit that my way of thinking is just one way of thinking and I want and need the checks and balances that come from hearing the opinions of the other guys and the Word of God speaking through them to me. I don't want to go to argue about things. I go to hear God's Word spoken through fellow Christians.
And this same logic goes beyond just the Saturday Morning Men's Group. I like to hear the opinions and viewpoints of all sorts of various Christian denominations and then even follow that up with hearing the viewpoints of people that aren't Christian at all. God even speaks in many and various ways to me.
But through it all, I have remained a Christian. I have remained a person that is in love with my relationship with God and with Christians and with all those God gives to me each day.
Do I agree with everyone? No! Do I get along with everyone? No! Do I think that I ever will agree and get along with everyone? No!
But I will continue to live for the Lord. I will continue to seek and hunt and ask questions and listen. I will continue to express how God is active in and through me and how God has been with me in all the phases of my life. I will continue to proclaim that awesome saving grace of what God has done for me and for all people through the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I will continue to express the Holy Spirit's gifts and call and guidance in this life and all life. I will continue to stand in awe of the Creator's power and mystery and majesty of life as presented to me on this earth and in heaven forever.
And most of all, I will praise God.
Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oADMOG89UPg
Prayer
Lord, daily you show me your power, authority and majesty. May I see you in those you give to me no matter who they may be. You have created all and all are valuable in your sight. May my opinions not get in the way of another person's sight of you. May I not live to myself but rather die to myself that I may live for you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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