Romans 14:1-3
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.
Paul seemed to differentiate smaller groups within the larger group of new believers in Christ. Paul’s understanding of Christ’s teachings was that Christ allows us full freedom to eat what we please, and there are no longer any laws keeping us away from certain foods. But some, although believers in Christ, held on to some food (and other) rules and laws. Paul describes those as having “weaker” faith, which is to me unfortunate, because it has such a negative connotation. But ultimately what he seemed to be saying was that everyone who has accepted Christ, is accepted by Christ. This is important for us today, as we need to unite with other Christians, now more than ever. It is not the time for us to focus on our differences. If we have accepted Christ, we are one in Christ with other believers. Differences are not the important thing.
Holy Lord, help me to see what unites us and not what divides us, as a family of believers in your Son, our Savior. Amen
Becky, transforming
Pic by Kay
Romans 14:1-3
There are a few important lines in these verses. I think the most important is the last phrase-“God has accepted each of them.” Next, we should not be judging others by our own standards. Who’s to say which is more important-the old way or the new. By judging, we are focusing on our differences, not how we are the same—God has accepted each of them!
Prayer: Gracious God keep reminding us how much alike we all are in our belief in you and your word. Amen.