Romans 15;7 "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
In writing to the Believers in Rome Paul wrote three whole chapters devoted to the relationship between Israeli Christians and Roman Christians. At this time Nero was the emperor of Rome and was allowing the Jews to return. The Christians in Rome kept the church in tact; however, all of their Jewish teachers had passed on so their congregation was made up primarily of gentiles. Paul was trying to relieve tensions between the Jews returning home and the new gentile leadership of the church.
He was telling all Believers in Christ to acknowledge one another as Christians and to treat each other accordingly and through His Word, God is telling Christians today to do the same. God calls us to "be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above ourselves." (Romans 12:10) Because God has accepted other Believers, who are we to reject them. God has also proclaimed this verdict, "therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Thus, again, who are we to cross our brothers and sisters in Christ off God's guest list!
Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about ignoring the sins of Believers, I am talking about those matters that God leaves up to personal conscience. These disputable matters in which faithful Christians tend to disagree do not involve salvation or sin. These matters never undermine the Truth of God's Word or deny God's commands but are personal preferences. Paul is telling the Believers not to make an issue out of someone's personal preference but that their freedom in Christ should be wrapped in care and concern for others and so too, we must lead by example and love at all cost. Example of disputable matters: food, drink, days of worship, clothing, color of carpeting in the church etc. (personal preferences)
Romans 14:13 reminds us, "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister." We are called to lay aside our rights, preferences, and freedoms out of love for God and a respect for others. In doing this, we show those around us a small picture of how the Son, Jesus Christ, did His Father's will. When we give up our freedoms for the sake of others, more of the Spirit's joy becomes ours.
Let's lay down our prejudices, disregard our misconceptions, cast off our critical thinking, overlook the opinions of our brothers and sisters in Christ and let love's demands override our preferences. May God's grace abundantly flow through us so that the unity among us reflects all of who Jesus is to this lost and dying world!
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Personalize this prayer.
Dear Lord,
Ouch! This hits me smack in the face. I didn't think that I was critical but . . . Please help me to overlook all those things that you deem personal preferences. Help me to just love my brothers and sisters in Christ and let You be their judge. It is not up to me to condemn or prove my point of view. Enable me to edify and strengthen others and if the gospel is not at stake then to let it go. I guess my sermon should be to "Let go and let God!" I know that I express God's Kingdom through all that I say and do and I in no way want to be a stumbling block for another believer or even a nonbeliever for that matter. Lord, blessed the ties that bind our hearts in Christian love and let the fellowship of our kindred minds be liken to that above.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
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