Verses: Romans 14 : 13 - 23
My thoughts about the verses:
Imagine if you were used to doing something that you never felt was wrong. Yet, as you are doing this in front of others you are effecting their beliefs. You keep doing what you are doing because you feel nothing is wrong. Yet, over time you notice that people are starting to withdraw themselves from you and others that you are around.
Haven't we all experienced this at some point in our life. We think it is okay to eat a certain food or drink yet it offends others. They handle it for a little while then they pull away from us. Then they do not talk to us or our friends because what they saw us doing made them feel uncomfortable. It even questioned their faith in God because they looked up to us. Yet, they saw us doing things that they thought were wrong and now our pedestal they placed us on is knocked over.
What we need to understand is that there are things that we do that affects other people’s faith. We need to examine what we do to make sure that it doesn't affect other people's faith. If it is something that affects another person negatively then do not do it in front of them. Remember people look at you every day and if you are walking your faith they will be quick to judge if they think something is wrong.
You need to remember that this scripture was written at a time when there were two main divisions in the Church. The Jewish community had accepted Christ and the Gentiles. These two groups had two different views because of their upbringing on what was good and what was bad. They were at odds with each other because of this. What Paul is trying to say to them and us is to live with peace between each member of the Body of Christ.
There are people from many different groups that make up the body of Christ. When you look around and see what happens when different cultures are in the same setting. You need to make sure as a child of God you do not push someone away because of your own customs. At the same time other Christians should not make you feel uncomfortable with their customs.
It is this difference of opinion that has split many churches. Because of things that are not really involved in worshiping Christ. It is essential that all Christians work with each other so there is no one that feels put off by the behavior of one or more in the group. Working together to reach the unchurched should always be the primary goal. If you feel that what you are doing will keep the unchurched from coming to hear the word of God you need to determine if it is worth what you feel is okay. I am not saying that you are sinning if you believe that a certain custom is okay. What I am saying is that you need to make sure that when you are doing something that you do not push people away from accepting Christ because of your actions.
Prayer:
Dear God we thank you for loving us. We thank you for giving us the gift of everlasting life. We ask dear God that you help us to live in peace with each other. Help us understand how to interact with others. Help us so that we do not block people from coming to know you because of our actions. In the name of the Most High we pray. Amen
Questions:
Have you ever been shocked by something that someone that says they are a Christian does? Are there things that you do that may deter people from coming to know Christ? Are you willing to let go of those customs so that people can find Christ? Have you accepted Christ in your life? What do you need to do to help others find inner peace?
My thoughts about the verses:
Imagine if you were used to doing something that you never felt was wrong. Yet, as you are doing this in front of others you are effecting their beliefs. You keep doing what you are doing because you feel nothing is wrong. Yet, over time you notice that people are starting to withdraw themselves from you and others that you are around.
Haven't we all experienced this at some point in our life. We think it is okay to eat a certain food or drink yet it offends others. They handle it for a little while then they pull away from us. Then they do not talk to us or our friends because what they saw us doing made them feel uncomfortable. It even questioned their faith in God because they looked up to us. Yet, they saw us doing things that they thought were wrong and now our pedestal they placed us on is knocked over.
What we need to understand is that there are things that we do that affects other people’s faith. We need to examine what we do to make sure that it doesn't affect other people's faith. If it is something that affects another person negatively then do not do it in front of them. Remember people look at you every day and if you are walking your faith they will be quick to judge if they think something is wrong.
You need to remember that this scripture was written at a time when there were two main divisions in the Church. The Jewish community had accepted Christ and the Gentiles. These two groups had two different views because of their upbringing on what was good and what was bad. They were at odds with each other because of this. What Paul is trying to say to them and us is to live with peace between each member of the Body of Christ.
There are people from many different groups that make up the body of Christ. When you look around and see what happens when different cultures are in the same setting. You need to make sure as a child of God you do not push someone away because of your own customs. At the same time other Christians should not make you feel uncomfortable with their customs.
It is this difference of opinion that has split many churches. Because of things that are not really involved in worshiping Christ. It is essential that all Christians work with each other so there is no one that feels put off by the behavior of one or more in the group. Working together to reach the unchurched should always be the primary goal. If you feel that what you are doing will keep the unchurched from coming to hear the word of God you need to determine if it is worth what you feel is okay. I am not saying that you are sinning if you believe that a certain custom is okay. What I am saying is that you need to make sure that when you are doing something that you do not push people away from accepting Christ because of your actions.
Prayer:
Dear God we thank you for loving us. We thank you for giving us the gift of everlasting life. We ask dear God that you help us to live in peace with each other. Help us understand how to interact with others. Help us so that we do not block people from coming to know you because of our actions. In the name of the Most High we pray. Amen
Questions:
Have you ever been shocked by something that someone that says they are a Christian does? Are there things that you do that may deter people from coming to know Christ? Are you willing to let go of those customs so that people can find Christ? Have you accepted Christ in your life? What do you need to do to help others find inner peace?
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