Paul, under the leading of
the Holy Spirit, discusses disputable matters of interpretation. What foods are
clean and the place of special or holy days were the pressing matters for
believers in Rome
Neither of these pertain
directly to salvation. Faith alone in Jesus is not at issue. Righteous living,
caring for the poor and needy, and other basic Christian distinctive are not
affected. Basically the issues Paul is addressing are ‘pious add-ons’ to the
faith.
They really don’t matter,
teaches Paul. Doing them does not earn us extra favor with God; not doing them
does not make us less in God’s eyes. They are personal, so the individual needs
to be personally obedient to what he/she believes without putting pressure on
others to do the same.
Not only are we not to put
pressure on others to live as we do, we must not judge them. You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do
you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.
… So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God (10,12).
Only God judges!
The underlying issue is
harmony, care and unity within the body. DON’T harm the church by your actions
and attitudes!
I started thinking about my
behaviors/beliefs in non-salvation areas of faith. Do I have any that harm the
body and that put wedges between people within the body? Do I harm the body
because of my personal piety issues?
Jesus, you
died for Your church. You died for people. Forgive me when I unnecessarily hurt
Your people, especially when pride, personal preference and issues of conscience
are at the root. Oh, Jesus, forgive and stop me. Show me Your
way…
I pray.
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment