NIV:
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. 4Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
The Message:
Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.
2-4For instance, a person who has been around for a while might well be convinced that he can eat anything on the table, while another, with a different background, might assume he should only be a vegetarian and eat accordingly. But since both are guests at Christ's table, wouldn't it be terribly rude if they fell to criticizing what the other ate or didn't eat? God, after all, invited them both to the table. Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God's welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help.
Ok, today I am finishing up on Romans and this chapter stuck out. I am sooooo guilty of this! Its scary to see this written in the Bible. It's such an important matter, one I am guilty of taking lightly. But its also reassuring to see it written in the Bible because that means there is hope and mercy waiting for me... I promise to do better on this issue! :)
Very true and I think we all struggle with this one! I love your new photo...did Lyd take it!?
ReplyDelete@ Margie: Yes, she did. I needed some picture of Grandma and us and Lyd was nice enough to help out. I plan to use one of them for our Christmas cards as well... She did such a great job!
ReplyDeleteI read this passage this morning! For as deep and philosophical as Romans can get, it's very applicable to everyday life!
ReplyDeleteThis passage is how we gain unity despite differing opinions: Jon and I don't drink alcohol, but that's a personal decision, and we don't fault others who do. Of course, there are some moral issues (drinking to get drunk, abortion, divorce,...) where there is a definite right and wrong, and those situations are covered in other parts of the Bible.