Laying Down the Law

Romans 14:13-19

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2014%3A13-19&version=NIV;NLT

  

Parents set boundaries for their children all the time in all different areas of life. In response to the question of “What are some TV boundaries that you set for your children?” my daughter had three rules:

 

       No TV after dinner.

 

       Only 1-2 hours of TV at any one time.

 

       No TV while eating dinner.

 

Then, just in case, she installed an app on her daughter’s phone that locks her out from 8 pm to 7 am. Parents set boundaries for their children. Sometimes they make rules. But when they get really firm, they lay down the Law.

 

Paul is writing to the Roman believers about a hot button issue of the time. Jewish Christians believed the Law prohibited them from eating meat that had been offered to idols. Whereas, Gentiles had no problem eating the same meat. This became such an issue that the Jerusalem council had to deal with it.

 

Paul wrote to the Roman church, “stop condemning or judging each other”.

 

¹⁷ For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸ If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. ¹⁹ So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. ²⁰ Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat.          NLT

 

In our culture today, we don’t really relate to conflict about eating meat offered to idols. But we can relate to judging one another. We judge others based on how they look; where they live; how they affect our life; how they act in church; what they smell like; if their beliefs match ours. The list is endless.

 

We all have our own set of rules based on our values and priorities. Then we apply those rules to others. What rules do you apply to your family; to your co-workers; to people at church; to the stranger in the car who cuts you off? Do you build others up or tear them down?

 

Once you’ve answered those questions, remind yourself of what is truly important; that only God’s word and people are eternal. Then live a life that will “aim for harmony in the church and build each other up”.

 

 

 

 

Better Together

Elephant herds are unique communities. Did you know, elephant mothers do not raise their babies on their own? Baby elephants are born blind and completely dependent. While the baby is growing, they are fortunate enough to have a great support system consisting of multiple full-time babysitters, called “allmothers.” Elephants intentionally stay together in order to care for the weak calves.

People are not much different.  Babies are born totally helpless. Parents don’t abandon the infant, expecting it to care for itself.  Often times other family members and friends rally around the couple to help support the family.

As Christians, we are family.  Some are infants, with weak faith, in need of support. Our scripture passage today is from Romans 15:1-7.  Verse one starts by saying, “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak…”  By “weak”, it means someone with a weak faith. 

Let's be honest, it's not easy to walk along side a Christian with weak faith. It can get messy.  Christians with weak faith make bad choices. This is when they need us the most.

We need to be careful not to judge them.  Just as a family wouldn't leave one of their own weak and alone. We ought to rally together, intentionally bearing with and accepting them just as Christ accepted us.