Don’t judge but receive each other as brothers in Christ. You differ on things not clearly commanded in scripture, so don’t hate each other because of it. Don’t judge each other as wrong or yourself as better, but love each other freely, as Christ loves you - “Him that is weak in the faith, receive you, but not to quarrel over opinions” (vs1).
You’re both believers, but one differs on a minor point and another on another: so what? Receive each other in love, rather than using such MINOR issues as reasons to fuss and fight - “For one believes that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eats herbs” (vs2). You are brothers in arms against sin and Satan, but never each other. We DEMONSTRATE being loved of God by loving each other as brethren, living obediently and to His honor. This good life heals us inwardly and rejoices us MORE than bitterness of spirit.
Don’t force others to live your way, and don’t hate each other because you’re different. Love because you trust the same Christ - “Let not him that eats despise him that eats not; and let not him which eats not judge him that eats: for God has received him” (vs3). You see small things differently, but on the gospel and glory of God, you’re united in obedience to Christ. Put the small things away.
This is good for families, homes, and churches. It is good that brethren FIGHT to maintain FELLOWSHIP as much as possible, not giving cause for offence. And, it is right that we put small things aside for the glory of Christ and to love each other. Differences in opinion are not worth destroying the love of the church.
Don’t judge your brothers who do things in clear conscience before God. They may not like your ways, and they may do things unapproved of by you, but they love Christ, honor God, and OBEY Him in what they do, in thankfulness. Don’t hate because you see it differently.
You and I are not master’s of each other, and we can’t rule the conscience. We only serve the Lord, see who else serves the Lord, and we love them fervently. If they DO something that scripturally calls for breaking of fellowship, then we deny them the right hand. But, if they love the gospel but do things that I wouldn’t do, then I must receive them as saved - “Who are you that judges another man’s servant? To his own master he stands of falls. Yes, he shall be held up: for God is able to make him stand” (vs4). Some like one style of music and some another, but let Christ be all, even if we don’t worship in the same place, we’re brothers for His sake.
You’re not the judge; you’re the servant. Why take a position that God hasn’t given you? He hasn’t called you to be the standard of holiness and opinion. He’s called us to serve Him by loving each other, so that if I refuse to love you in your difference, then I dishonor the Son whom I claim to serve by rejecting you.
God will make the brother stand, even if he participates in things that you enjoy not. He isn’t outside the kingdom, and he’s safe as you in Christ.
Some think that Sunday is holy, and they won’t do anything but worship. Some think that Sunday isn’t holy, and they meet on other days or meet and play on Sunday. But, the times and seasons aren’t important - “One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike. Let every man be fully assured in his own mind. He that regards the day, regards it unto the Lord; and he that regards not the day, to the Lord he does not regard it. He that eats eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he that eats not, to the Lord he eats not, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no man dies to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord‘s. for to this end Christ both died, and rose, and lives again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and the living” (vs5-9). The Lord is WORSHIPPED, believes gather, and we give Him glory, regardless of what day we choose, or if we choose no day particularly at all.
You and I must know for ourselves, and we cannot follow others’ conscience on this.
1. We must, in our own mind, know what the Lord would have us do. You cannot keep your family at church and have no TV on Sunday, if that’s not in your heart. If you do, then your conscience is wounded and you’re serving men, rather than God.
2. When you and I see things in scripture, we must obey them, and we must be given freedom from brethren to do so.
Some dress like this, some start at this time, some meet in this kind of building, etc. But, none of this matters. Let your conscience be clear, let your worship be loving, and care not to divide over lesser issues. If we hold the gospel, then give people freedom to do things differently, as they honor God. It is NOT a reason to hate.
Some regard the day to the Lord. Others don’t regard the day, going to the beach on Sunday after worship or visiting with friends, but they worship and praise God all the same.
We don’t belong to men, and you err greatly to surrender your conscience to men. Give God glory, love each other, and accept that we CAN’T agree on everything- “But why do judge your brother? Or why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me and every tongue shall confess to God. So then, every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (vs10-12)
Jesus is Lord, not man, groups, opinions, or personal bias’, but Christ alone is Lord and Boss. He alone is obeyed, and if He is honored, then all is well, even if you do things differently in your freedom.
It is EASY to reject, but it is sin; it is RIGHT to love, in spite of difference . Have one Master and honor Him, and you do right in your life, no matter what people think. You must be content that saints love Him, if they aren’t in agreement with you.
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