Romans 14: 1-4
Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
The first sentence of this passage seems to sum it up for me. I would not quarrel with another over this, but I am sure I have at times been judgmental of those whose faith seems wobbly or insincere. Now that I put this down in visible text, I feel ashamed. But it is true. I can be impatient when others don’t respect or see the church the way I do. But, I am no better. There are times I am merely going through the motions, too preoccupied or caught up in my own matters to pay attention in worship. Acceptance.
Father, forgive me. Teach me acceptance, I pray. Help me to love. Amen
Becky, transforming
Tuesday, July 12th 2022
Romans 14:1-4
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Paul is teaching Christians to stop judging each other over matters of religious practices, about food…
Romans 14: 1-4 One of the many ways the church has veered in the wrong direction over the centuries is making so many things “disputable matters” and worse, making quarreling about them some bizarre measure of one’s faith. In dealing with matters of faith practice that are not in opposition to the Good News of Jesus Christ, our watchword should be acceptance. The Gospel, not the thousands of manmade rules, rituals and restrictions attached to it is the guiding star for living the Christian life. There will never be unity in the world as long as there is disunity in Christ’s Church.
Prayer - Jesus, Prince of Peace, show me the path of peace in accepting my brothers and sisters in…
Romans 14:1-4
Our new church sets a good example regarding acceptance. When the current pastor realized that there was no church in town that invited the gay community in, he hung signage showing that they were accepted. I estimate that one-quarter or more of our congregation is made up this community, and it is a non-issue. I believe that Jesus would approve.
Dear Lord, help us to see people the way that Jesus did. Amen.
Romans 14:1-4
4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
Just because someone doesn’t think as I do about God doesn’t mean I should judge them. I will learn to accept all no matter what their beliefs. I have no right to judge anyone, only God has that right.
Dearest Lord, teach me not to judge anyone. I sometimes fail in this regard but with the help of the Holy Spirit, I am getting better at not judging. I thank you for that knowledge and grace. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Upon reading this passage it reminds of something I read some time ago. We never know what storm another person may be going through. It is not for us to judge them. That is for God to do. Sometimes we get exasperated with the way others are acting but we need to realize that person may have many issues they are dealing with. I would not want to have someone judge me if I seemed to be struggling with something.
Dear God, Help us to remember that we are not to judge others. That is for you to take care. Help us to be kind to others in their time of need. Amen.