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.
5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. 6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. 7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.
Romans 14:1-9
Dear God, I don’t think I’ve heard enough sermons on verse 1. I was talking with someone the other day who is part of a mens group. There’s a new member of the group who has been really hurt by Christianity in the past because he is gay and he has experienced a lot of rejection. The man I was talking to really likes the other man but strongly disagrees with someone practicing any LGBTQ activities (that’s an awkward sentence to write). He was talking to me and another friend because he was concerned about what he might say to the new guy if the topic ever comes up. The other guy and I didn’t use Romans 14:1, but maybe we should have.
So where is the limit on Romans 14:1? Obviously, there are limits. We can just turn the other way at murder. We can’t ignore theft. But beyond the two of the 10 Commandments that we legislate against, do we just openly discuss our differences in a loving way and agree to disagree, allowing the Holy Spirit to work on each of our hearts individually? I think maybe so.
I find it interesting in campaign season that I’ve heard a new slant on the acronymn RINO (Republican in Name Only). It’s PINO (Pastor in Name Only). It refers to people who claim they are Christian, but they aren’t deemed really Christian because their political/socialogical beliefs aren’t in line with the more conservative positions. Does Romans 14:1 apply to this too? Should anyone claiming someone else is a PINO repent for their judgment and for taking your place as the one whose job it is to convict?
Father, I don’t want to just excuse sin and turn the other way. I also don’t want to do anything that gets in the way of someone becoming your disciple and working their own faith out with fear and trembling. Help me to do this wall. Help me to be wise. Help me to love.
I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,
Amen
Emails to God 