14 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. ² For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. ³ Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. ⁴ Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.

Romans 14:1-4

Dear God, wow! How have I never paid attention to these verses before. I know I’ve read them. I know I’ve journaled on them and prayed to you about them. But now, today, this is quite something.

I’ve mentioned the book The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible by A.J. Jacobs. One of the things I’ve learned from it is that we have all, without exception, as Christians or even Jewish people, chosen what we want to follow from the Bible and what we refuse to. What we think applies to our lives today and what is out of date and applies only to the cultures from 2,000 to 6,000 years ago. I do it. Even the most “Authority-of-Scripture” Fundamentalist does it. Certainly the most liberal of Christians do it. So what is Paul giving us here as guidance?

Verse 4 seems to say it. If we are worshipping you then it is up to you to convict us of behavior. We are your servants, and no one else’s. And you have certainly convicted me of bad behavior, thoughts, actions, and attitudes before. The act of praying to you each day. The act of letting you channel my thoughts through these prayers, through listening to Christians I trust and let them convict me. In fact, I was listening to a sermon yesterday via podcast and was convicted of something I did 36 years ago to someone else. The pastor was talking about us making amends with the person we wronged. If I were to see that person or talk to that person, I don’t think I would have trouble apologizing to them for it. I am certainly sorry before you for it. But if I sought them out today, would I do more harm than good. Step 9 of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous is “making amends,” but with the caveat that you shouldn’t do it if it would do harm. I don’t know if it would do harm or not. Guide me in that.

I think, for at least a little while, I want to check out what the Hawai’i Pidgin translation has to say for the passage I’m focusing on each day. In this case, here is its translation:

No Judge Yoa Brudda-Sista Guys

14 Wen get one guy dat trus God but he not strong inside yet, dass okay. But no go make argue bout wat he tinking. Jus let um hang out wit you guys. ² Get some peopo, dey trus God, an dey shua dat dey can eat any kine, meat o watevas. Get odda peopo dat no stay strong fo trus God, an dey no eat meat, ony vegable kine stuff. ³ Eh! da guy dat eat any kine stuffs jalike meat an watevas, he betta not ack like he mo betta den da guy dat no eat meat. Same ting, dat guy dat no eat meat, he betta not go tell da guy dat eat meat, “Eh, az wrong fo you do dat, you know.” Cuz God wen let um come be his guy awready!

I love it. I think this just might be my new thing. What a breath of fresh air for seeing your Word through another, beautiful lens. I included the section heading as well because it was just too good.

Father, convict me where I need to be convicted. Direct me in repentance where I need to repent. Love others through me. I worship you. I praise you. I know I’ve drawn the lines of what I will and won’t do in the wrong places. Help me to, day by day, get closer to drawing the line that is the best for me to become the man you need me to be. For my sake and for your glory, oh, Lord.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen