Romans 14:1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.
WE followers of Jesus Christ get caught up in criticism of others or calling into questions how they pursuee their faith in Jesus.
A key to understanding how to be more tolerant or actually, Christlike with others is in a series of words that begin with the letter “P”.
Preference- in many churches today they are having “worship wars” over style of music and use of instruments. Many times it seems to be inter-generational. The older group prefers “the way it was when we grew up” and the younger prefer more lively and praise oriented. Guess what? Neither group is totally right or wrong. The Bible says worship with “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.” In other words songs that sing ABOUT God and those who sing TO God.
Priorities- some think the end of all the church is evangelism that is to reach and bring to conversion non-believers. Others thinks it is small group ministry. Some put priority on caring and social ministries. Same thing, they all have a place in the balance of the Body of Christ.
Principles- these love the teaching aspect of Christianity. They think the Bible is a huge instructional manual to be analyzed, digested, arranged into topics and checklist given to live the Christian life. Really? Ever try to cozy up with dishwasher operator manual? Get insight that tell you how to live with a cell phone instruction book? It’s not the end all of faith either.
Person-finally we have it. It is all about Jesus. The whole of Scripture is about getting to know Him. He loves us the way we are and loves us enough not to leave us that way. He knows the more time you spend with Him the more you become like Him.
We are not trying to live to obtain His pleasure but understanding that the moment we become His, He is pleased with us. We do not live our lives to obtain His favor but begin our new life in Him secure in His favor.
This is the good news believers need to expect and experience....God loves you! You're free to become what He wants and not just behave how others want! But we can also give others freedom to follow the way He leads them.
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