Don’t pass judgement: Romans 14.1–23 (Day 236)

Pray

Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.

Read

1 Samuel 16 Romans 14 Lamentations 1 Psalm 32

Daily reflection: Romans 14

In this chapter Paul is talking to believers from Jewish backgrounds who still want to keep the Jewish ritual laws, and Gentile believers who don't. His advice about eating vegetables is related to meat that might have been sold in the markets having been first offered to a pagan deity. Paul urges the Roman Christians to respect each other's consciences: 'Each one should firmly make up his own mind' (verse 5). What matters is that they do it for God.

Paul begins by telling his readers to look up, rather than to look around. God comes first, and they shouldn't be judging one another or scoring points. But, he goes on, looking around at their fellow believers is important too. They might have the right to do something, but if exercising that right is going to grieve or harm someone else, they shouldn't do it (verse 13).

Sometimes convictions are deeply held and passions run high, both in church contexts and outside them. Paul's counsel is very demanding. Today, it's harder than ever to disagree well in public because of the toxic nature of social media. Churches find it very difficult to navigate disagreements about doctrine and practice. Some believers are determined to hold the line on tradition; others are frustrated by the slow pace of change. Paul doesn't offer a magic, knock-down answer here: he just says that both sides should be God-focused, generous and kind to one another. If we do that, we can be an example to the world.

Pray

God, show me how I can best please you in what I do and say. Help me to be gracious, and to realise that you may have given others different paths to follow.