I’ve been making my way through the book of Romans for the past month, and have been equally mystified at the power and glory of God, and saddened by reading Paul’s instructions to life a full “Christian Life.”
This season in our culture feels so divided, so angry, and so anti-Biblical, it’s been hard for me to find my place in it all. I have been making a conscience effort to spend MORE time in the Word in these times, and not allowing the news and newsfeeds to define what Truth is for me. Others’ opinions of the world, while valuable in shaping my worldview, are not the end all be all of truth. And I think what has made me the most heartbroken in all of this is seeing fellow believers, co-laborers in Christ, look at the same scriptures and teachings and come away with completely opposite conclusions. It has left me feeling a level of despair in this season that I’ve had a hard time grappling with and overcoming.
Until I got to Romans 14. The chapter is preceded by the subheadings “Humble Service in the Body of Christ,” “Love in Action,” and “Submission to Governing Authorities.” Whereas, this one is “The Weak and the Strong.” In this chapter, Paul is writing to early Roman Christians, who are in disagreement about whether certain Jewish rituals and traditions should still be followed. He addresses the differences in opinion when it comes to eating meat vs only eating vegetables, observing sacred days vs not.
“The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.” Romans 14:3
In other words, the differences between you and others, based on your background and convictions, are not for you to judge… because God’s got that under wraps. God has accepted the person that you disagree with. Let’s just start there. As believers we are called to live in peace and unity, “as far as it depends on you.” (Romans 12:18)
The Message translation puts it this way – “But since both are guests at Christ’s table, wouldn’t it be terribly rude if they fell to criticizing what the other ate or didn’t eat? God, after all, invited them both to the table. Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God’s welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help.” (Emphasis mine)
Paul continues by addressing sacred days, and comes to this conclusion, whether we “eat meat” or not, “observe sacred days” or not, so we do it for the Lord. (Romans 14:6) Replace eating meat and observing sacred days with whatever your conviction is in this season. It is not up to me to judge and hold you in contempt. Christ died for all of us. In his death we died, and in his life we live. We are all held accountable to our own actions; we will all “stand before God’s judgement seat.” (Romans 14:10)
It is ultimately God, not other believers that we are answerable to. We should not let other believers force us to go against our consicence. To which I say an emphatic YEAH, with my most smug look on my face, and my arms crossed in self righteousness. However, the real kicker here, is that we should also not force others’ to violate their conscience. If there is wrong-doing or correction needed, that’s the place of the Holy Spirit. I cannot presume to stand in the place of God and judge you for your conviction and conscience.
So what’s the “therefore” here? There’s always a therefore with Paul’s instructions. Here is a theological truth, and therefore, this is how it applies.
“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister…If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.” Romans 14:13,15
In other words, if you are causing harm, distress, confusion, for your fellow believer, you’re not acting as a partner in love. Would you risk someone’s faith being destroyed because of your belief about what foods should or should not be eaten, or whether you vote for one party or another?
God’s kingdom is not a matter of politics. I needed this reminder to pull my head above the fray and the discourse, and to realize that my life is about pleasing God, becoming more like Jesus, and loving my neighbor. Full stop. My role as a believer is to make life with God look so appealing and attractive that the world can’t help but notice. I can’t do that well if I am yelling at the other people who are supposed to be with me in this, but have different opinions and convictions.
My vote this November is not my salvation. It does not change my place in the kingdom of God. It does not affect my righteousness, that he gave me when I trusted him. My conscience decision to vote for who I think is best in no way comes against what is asked of me as a believer. Because as hard as it seems to believe sometimes, we can still love each other regardless of who’s in charge. You and I will be held accountable to GOD for our actions, not each other. That’s not our place. We cannot give each other righteousness, nor should we try. That’s God’s role.
I will vote, because I believe it is my civic (not Biblical) responsibility to. It’s a freedom that was fought for, especially as a woman, and I’m going to honor the suffragettes of our country’s history by exercising my right. But my vote does not determine or affect my salvation, and neither does yours. I will make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification, not by dragging people because I disagree with their words.
“So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” Romans 14:22
Will I still speak up when I witness injustice? Yes. But will I share every conviction that I have with the entire world, no. Some things are meant to stay between myself and God, if only to work towards peace and mutual edification. That is the ultimate goal.
Loved this Tory!