Personal Faith

As we look to Scripture to determine our actions in the circumstances of our lives, it is imperative that we, as believers, know how, when, and where to pick our fights. The vast majority of what we choose to squabble over would fit quite comfortably within the same categories as "the color of carpet" in the local sanctuary. Somehow the color of that carpet has risen to eternal importance because many churches have split over issues of equal or less import. I submit to you that when we choose to quarrel over such trivial matters, we cheapen our own salvation and denigrate the grace that purchased it. Let's look at Romans 14:1-13.

Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for Yehuweh has received him. Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for Yehuweh is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives Yehuweh thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives Yehuweh thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Messiah died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Messiah. For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to Yehuweh." So then each of us shall give account of himself to Yehuweh. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

I believe what Paul is saying to believers here, is "let lesser issues remain lesser." There is something far greater in the works than what we eat or what holidays we celebrate. I will continue to live by my own personal convictions and be always ready to discuss them with you. I will continue to pray for the Body's collective eyes to be opened to the truth of the Word and will pray for the ability to not be a stumbling block by imposing my convictions on others.

Personally, I wish this passage was absent from the writ of Scripture. Then I would be free to make spiritual clones of myself. I would be able to say to my clones, "Do what I do: Say what I say; Wear what I wear; etc., etc." However, I must come to understand that our Heavenly Father loves me enough to give me the power to choose whether or not to believe in Him AND how to carry out that belief in my own life. As a believer in Him, I must allow fellow believers that same privilege.

Shalom