Obedience
Therefore, let us stop passing judgement on each other. Rom 14:13
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Romans 14
1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.
2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.
3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him.
4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.
6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.
7For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;
8for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.
9For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
10But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.
2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.
3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him.
4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.
6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.
7For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;
8for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.
9For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
10But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
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My Dad told me the story of an important speed boat race. It was a competition
between two nations. The stakes were high and each nation had two competitors,
although only one from each was considered to be able to challenge the others.
On the day of the race, the speedboats approached the starting line. The drivers had
to plan their acceleration so that they would not be over the line ahead of the
starter’s pistol shot. They were virtually in a straight line when one of the drivers
gunned their engine just as the shot was to be fired. The boat sped across the line
ahead of the shot, and in doing so, also pulled the top competitor from the other
nation across the line. They were both disqualified. The first boat’s driver had not
been the chief competitor from his nation. He had been asked to race ahead with
the hopes of drawing the other team offside. It worked! Now the only remaining
top competitor had a cakewalk and won the race with ease.
It looked like the driver of the first boat had made a mistake; in fact, the first boat’s
driver had done exactly what the coach had asked of him. While I don’t appreciate
their devious behaviour, it is a wonderful example of knowing who is calling
the shots and of being held accountable only for fulfilling what the
coach has in mind for you.
Paul’s advice to each of us as spectators is that we shouldn’t jump to conclusions or sit
in judgement of others. He does not absolve anyone from obedience to Christ. Rather,
he says that we are personally responsible for following the direction we receive from
God. Some Christians might still be learning to crawl while others are walking or
running in their faith. What may be impossible or dangerous for a new Christian might
be well thought out and mature for another Christian. The caution is that Christians not
allow their freedom or maturity to cause a more vulnerable Christian to fall. Two year
old children shouldn’t be tempted to drive cars, nor should young Christians be
tempted to face situations that they are not yet prepared to address.
The mature Christian is the one whom God holds responsible for seeing to it that he
or she does not cause the weaker Christian to stumble. It isn’t a matter of standing in
judgement; it is a matter of self-sacrificing love for the good of our brother or sister.
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Heavenly Father, thank You for the reality of the life experience we enjoy together.
When I was young I thought of You as being up in heaven — distant, keeping notes
and very strict. During the past years I have come to enjoy the freedom that comes
as I live with You. There are so many choices in my life that can be lived, almost as
a courtship with You. I learn so much about You as I consider various actions that I
might take. I find You quietly prodding me on, making me mindful of lasting values
and letting me know that You are also open to fun. I have come to know You
and to love You. You ARE the greatest! Amen.
- Noel Churchman
Noel was the Executive Director of Christian Horizons form 1976 to 2001. The devotionals we will be using are from a book he wrote in 2005 called “Walking with God”. Noel’s reflections are grounded in his experiences as an educator, and provider of supports for individuals with exceptional needs as well as his life as a dedicated follower of Christ.
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