Sometimes Christians expect more of new believers than seasoned
ones. We figure the brother that's 20 years old in the Lord is
proven---he knows what he's doing. Therefore, if he "fudges" a
little bit, it's okay; he knows how to handle it. But, we expect the
new believer to "prove" himself. He's got to show all the signs of
being a true believer, so we actually judge him with a higher
standard than the 'older' brother. Amazing, isn't it?
What we need to do is make room for all who believe and let them act
according to their own faith. We must not judge them. And, we need
to realize that there are things that do not matter at all to
God, even though they matter a lot to us. These are the
things we tend to fight about. God grieves over our division. He
loves unity.
Romans 14:1-4 Give a warm welcome to any
brother who wants to join you, even though his faith is weak. Don't
criticize him for having different ideas from yours about what is
right and wrong. For instance, don't argue with him about whether or
not to eat meat that has been offered to idols. You may believe
there is no harm in this, but the faith of others is weaker; they
think it is wrong and will go without any meat at all and eat
vegetables rather than eat that kind of meat. Those who think it is
all right to eat such meat must not look down on those who won't.
And if you are one of those who won't, don't find fault with those
who do. For God has accepted them to be his children.
IT'S A GOOD THING THAT GOD IS THE ONE WHO JUDGES---NOT US. IF WE HAD
TO CHOOSE WHO IS APPROVED, THERE MIGHT NOT BE ANYONE IN THE KINGDOM
OF GOD.
Romans 14:4-6 They are God's servants, not
yours. They are responsible to him, not to you. Let him tell them
whether they are right or wrong. And God is able to make them do as
they should. Some think that Christians should observe the Jewish
holidays as special days to worship God, but others say it is wrong
and foolish to go to all that trouble, for every day alike belongs
to God. On questions of this kind everyone must decide for himself.
If you have special days for worshiping the Lord, you are trying to
honor him; you are doing a good thing. So is the person who eats
meat that has been offered to idols; he is thankful to the Lord for
it; he is doing right. And the person who won't touch such meat, he,
too, is anxious to please the Lord, and is thankful.
WE'VE BEEN BOUGHT WITH A VERY HEAVY PRICE. WE BELONG TO GOD AND HAVE
LEFT OUR "RIGHTS" AT THE CROSS. WE HAVE MANY PRIVILEGES, BUT NEVER
THE 'RIGHT' TO DO SOMETHING FOR OUR PLEASURE AT THE COST OF ANOTHER
BROTHER'S FAITH. GOD EXPECTS US TO DO GOOD FOR ONE ANOTHER. TO PUT
OTHERS FIRST. HE ALONE CAN GIVE US THE ABILITY TO DO THIS.
Romans 14:7-15 We are not our own bosses to
live or die as we ourselves might choose. Living or dying we follow
the Lord. Either way we are his. Christ died and rose again for this
very purpose, so that he can be our Lord both while we live and when
we die. You have no right to criticize your brother or look down on
him. Remember, each of us will stand personally before the Judgment
Seat of God.
For it is written, "As I live," says the Lord,
"every knee shall bow to me and every tongue confess to God."
Yes, each of us will give an account of himself to God. So don't
criticize each other anymore. Try instead to live in such a way that
you will never make your brother stumble by letting him see you
doing something he thinks is wrong.
ONE VERY GOOD REASON FOR HAVING MERCY ON OTHERS: TOMORROW WE MIGHT
NEED MERCY. IF WE HAVEN'T GIVEN IT, WE WON'T GET IT.
AND, BELIEVE ME, WE ALL NEED IT!
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GOD HAS GOOD
PLANS
FOR
YOUR
FUTURE
know what I'm doing.
I have it all planned
out--
plans to take care of you,
not abandon you,
plans to give you
the future you hope for.
"When you call on me,
when you come
and pray to me,
I'll
listen.
Jeremiah 29:11
(Message Bible) |
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