2 Chronicles 29 / Romans 14 / Psalm 24 / Proverbs 20:12
The title of this post is taken directly from Romans 14 NLT. And the whole chapter is so good! There is unfortunately a lot of disagreement, arguing, even fighting within the body of Christ over things that do not matter. There are essential doctrines and there are non-essential doctrines. Faith in Jesus Christ for salvation is essential to our Christian faith. What we eat, or which day we worship is not.
Maybe I’m stirring up a hornet’s nest, but if one takes time to thoughtfully read this chapter, you’ll see exactly what I’m speaking about. Then you won’t be accountable to my words but to the words Holy Spirit wrote through the men in the time scripture was written.
The matter of who eats what has caused so much disagreement when it should cause none. Some believe eating meat is a sin, and some do not. Some believe drinking wine is a sin, and some do not. Some believe we should gather for fellowship on Saturdays, some on Sundays, and some believe the day doesn’t matter at all if we love God and one another.
So, why do we argue over these things that don’t matter? I believe, in part, that we argue because we love being right. Being right somehow affirms us as people; we feel validated. But Christianity is not about validation. Christianity is about serving others.
However, if you’re searching for validation, that is found in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. If we are secure in our relationship with Him, we will understand His will for us, we’ll know we are loved, and we will feel no need to look down on others for where they are in their journey.
And that’s what this is about. When we criticize others for their choices, we are not allowing them and God to be in peaceful process together, and that shows a lack of love and understanding on our part. If we love the other person, we will receive them as they are. If their beliefs are not based on sin, let’s leave the situation between them and God and continue to love them.
If your brother or sister is claiming to want to follow Jesus, and they are unaware of an area of sin, then while in the process of forming relationship with them the Lord may lead you to speak with them. Until He does, pray for them. And more than anything, love him or her. Love has an amazing way of giving space to others, allowing them to follow their desire for growth.
When we are loved, we want to change to please the one who loves us. As your family member or friend learns more about Jesus, they will begin to pattern their lives after Him, just like you are doing. We are much better friends if we allow others to follow Christ as we follow Him.
Life is simpler when we “mind our own hearts” and stop trying to mind someone else’s heart. That never works out well for two reasons. One, we don’t know their hearts, and two, God is the only one who fully understands what is in someone’s heart. Not only that, but He has the solution and the path to lead them toward freedom in Him.
Let’s be freedom givers by not placing stumbling blocks of unloving behavior in front of others. Let’s love them as they are, trusting Holy Spirit to bring conviction when and where it’s needed. He did that for us, and He will do that for them.
