WE ARE TO BUILD, NOT BICKER
"Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters." Romans 14:1
What is sad is Christians bickering over trivial (disputable) matters, rather than just letting people answer to God for their lives. So what if people believe differently than us? It is not our job to correct them. Everyone will stand before God on their own and give an account to Him (vs. 12), but they will not stand before us. God wants us to think missional in our approach to people. 'OUR' problem is we get caught up arguing over our 'right' views of God's word vs. everyone's 'wrong' views. God isn't happy and the unsaved remain as they are, unsaved - nobody wins. What will be a win for all people is if Christians stop…
TEARING ONE ANOTHER DOWN…
"Who are you to judge someone else's servant?" Romans 14:4
One way to verify a person's faith in God is whether they judge others or not. The stronger our faith, the less we feel the need to correct, critique or comment on people's actions. The weaker our faith, the more arrogance we have, making us think we can judge. Paul asks, 'who are you to judge?' Our pride is the reason. It is the same answer to his question in verse 10 - 'why do you judge your brother or sister?' Both reasons originate from the FALSE belief that we're better than others - which just isn't true.
"…Let us stop passing judgment on one another…" Romans 14:13
…AND START BUILDING ONE ANOTHER UP.
"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." Romans 14:19
To work for peace will require us to put aside our 'need' to judge others - it only causes division (no peace). Our unifying goal, our mission, is to build (edify) God's Kingdom, not our personal fiefdoms of: proving we are right; being first; or having the most and the best. We must live for God and work to build others - this is love, (fulfillment). By keeping this goal (mission) in mind,we will do what leads to peace. God, (a good parent),loves to see His children working together in harmony.
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