Romans 14
I love this book! And I really like this chapter. It's a big ol' fat reminder to me that I am responsible for my brother and sister! Who am I to judge anyone! It's my job to lift you all up and hold you accountable.... but not to judge; just as it's your job to hold me accountable also.
But the biggest thing that I think we should take away from this chapter is what Paul talks about in the second section. Don't do anything that would cause your brother or sister to stumble. We are responsible for our choices and our actions. And if something we do causes one of us to stumble, or fall back into an old way, then we will be judged for that. But here's the thing.... we may not always know that we are doing these things. We may be unaware of someone's struggle with something... say.... insecurity. We may just joke around and give each other a hard time (like we are prone to do!), but not realize that someone truly struggles with insecurity. And every time we poke fun of, or make a silly joke about something, we may not realize that we are doing real damage to that person.
I know that is a silly example and probably may not be a really big deal, but we don't know. But we do know that we'll be held accountable for it. And so, for me, I really have to think about being mindful of what I say and do. And it's also why it is so important that we be in some kind of accountability group. So if we do have these struggles (and don't kid yourselves... we all have them) then you can at least have someone to unload them on, and to pray for you and encourage you.
Good stuff! Lots to think about. What are your thoughts?
Robbie
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Verses 5-9 spoke to me. We should do everything to God's glory, in essence. Live to Him, die to Him. Basically what Erik just finished speaking about in the Surrender series. Let it all go to Him. There is nothing else.
ReplyDeleteVs. 13 spoke to me about not letting anything I do be a stumbling block for someone else. There are things I do that may seem innocent to me that could be a real problem for someone else. I think it comes down to having a selfless attitude. I have to be willing to not do things that I know are no big deal and are okay with God for the sake of my brother or sister who may have a real problem.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing how the bible ties everything together: Love your neighbor as yourself, put the needs of others above your own, don't cause each other to stumble, do everything to the glory of God. I think this chapter kind of sums up these principles.
Verse 4- "Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?"
ReplyDeleteI think it's so important for us to "put ourselves in our place" sometimes, because I think we fall into the habit of judging others for not living a life that's right with God, without looking inside our own lives. While it's true that we have a responsibility to pass the "Word of God" on to others and minister to those around us, it is not our responsibility to judge others for what they do with this information that we share with them. I feel we can truly be beneficial to those who are starting their walk with Christ, and to those who have been on the walk for a long time and feel they've had a relapse and need someone to talk to about it. We can provide guidance, but to judge them, regardless of where they are at in their lives, is not only going to cause them to stumble, but ultimately it will cause us to stumble as well.
I could be a little off track with somethings but I see this chapter as a must for all, especially Christians. Sad to say but I have seen Christians act as though they are Godlier or have more value than others. Differences between have always been and will be.
ReplyDeleteWe are called to unite because lost souls are what have real value. Everyone is to be loved and respected so, self-interest must disappear.
As Christians we have got to be about compassion, not compromise. Judgement belongs to God.
Furthermore, I am sad to say I made a judement in my comment. Thanks holy-spirit for conviction, Please everyone pray for me!!
ReplyDeleteI think it is hard not to condemn other christians because of our fleshly bodies. We need to get out of that attitude and hold each other accountable for what they say and do.
ReplyDeleteI really like verses 17-19 "For the Kingdom of God is not a matter over what you eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God. And other people will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up."
As we walk daily with the Lord we need to continue to build each other up!!
I like v 20-22 because they speak to me about getting what you want at the expense of others. You may think that what you want is the right thing but if it causes another hardship or causes them pain is indeed the right thing? How many times have we been faced with an opportunity or an action we took that ended up causing someone else heartache or problems? Paul reminds us that we have to be aware of how are actions and the things we consume or act upon affect others around us.
ReplyDelete8For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then,(I) whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.
ReplyDeleteThis verse to me is kinda like calling you out for being a luke warm christian. Ive kinda always been taught that you're either on fire or you're not..there's no such thing as luke warm when you're speaking of living a life for God. That no matter what...Im God's...good bad or indifferent...Im His...and He's got this..all of it. You can't give half your heart to Him..He wants it all, He doesnt want you to live for Him on Sunday's...He wants you living for Him everyday because He is willing to give you everything He's offering, but you have to be willing to do the same..give Him everything you have to offer.
I really like the whole chapter! Especially when it talks about being judgemental and I think that comes down to be legalistic and nit-picky.
ReplyDeleteThe verse that stood out to me the most was the last verse. "But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin."
"For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin..." Wow. There you have it. Anything that isn't out of faith is a sin. No one has an excuse (definitely including me) for saying, well I didn't know it was a sin. I tend to point the finger away from me with excuse like, "Well I didn't know." Or "They're doing it." Which coincides with being a stumbling block for someone.
This chapter speaks to both the beauty of our diversity as children of God (vs 1-9), and at the same time the complexity our diversity brings (vs 10-24). Ultimatley though, as Christians we have a responsibility to walk in the Lord together and to make disciples of all nations (diversity), and so by being involved in others lives we will encounter situations where we don't see eye to eye.
ReplyDeleteI think too often we try to convince each other that our view is right, even on little things that are more preference than doctrine, rather than encourage and help out. As this passage describes, what may be a covenant broken to me, may not be to you, like our fast this week. It isn't an issue of right or wrong, it is an issue of our own covenant and our own hearts.
So the beuaty and complexity of our diversity is unpacked, and we are not to judge and not to cause each other to stumble. In a word, we are to be "selfless" as Christ was, and embrace and encourage our differences that are of God.
I'll add this, don't get caught up in "looking away" in order not to judge, as there are times where we all need to be corrected. Also, if you are looking away, you are more likely to do something that would cause another to trip up. Yet another bueatiful and tough complexity in our walk with God.
Much like the vegetarians of Paul’s day, we too have things we do out of either lack of faith or understanding. “Let us stop passing judgment on one another” is a great section of verse 13 that sums it up. I think of the numerous denominations and how each one basically judges the other’s actions, legalities, practices, ways of worship; I know I am guilty of such judgments and silent negative opinions.
ReplyDeletePhilip stated, “the complexity of our diversity is unpacked”, this helps me realize we are all different. The diversity of the world is truly awe-inspiring. This diversity permeates through the visible surfaces into our inner beliefs. This diversity creates many opportunities for one to judge another, but as Danny said “Judgment belongs to God”.