THE WEAK AND STRONG IN FAITH - PART 2

TUESDAY 07 DECEMBER 2021

In Romans chapter 14, Paul desires us to think the right way regarding those who are weak in faith or put it better, other Christians who are not functioning at the same level of faith with us. He wants our thoughts and even our personal desires to properly align with God and His Word, such that we will not despise other Christians who don't actually have exactly the same perspective with us regarding some certain principles and practice in the Christian faith.

Therefore, by having and demonstrating the mindset of the righteous, we can recognize and handle incompatible differences from the standpoint of tolerance and we must seek to find reconciliation, when there are disputable matters, instead of creating situations that play out an emotionally charged debate. Today let's look at how to continue what we know is right, even when its spoken of as evil.

Reference: Romans 14:16-17 New International Version (NIV) "Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Here's what Paul is saying, "If you know that what you are doing is good because of your pure motives, do not let others overshadow that good or motive by their act of assuming and interpreting it as evil or speaking ill about it." What does this actually mean? Let's assume you are good at helping people or even interceding for others with pure motives, sometimes as a Christian, you'll come across those who will question your motive for doing what you do for others and even judge you wrongly by speaking evil about your deeds. In this case, Paul is saying, "As long as you maintain a clear conscience before God, go ahead with your good works which is done by faith." Don't let the evil spoken of it, get you sidetracked or deter you from going ahead, but rather be determined to continue to carry out your task by faith.

Beloved, the faith that you have in believing there's nothing wrong with what you are doing is very important because whatsoever is not done by faith is sin. Therefore keep it between yourself and God because blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. Moreover, Paul's witness is this: If anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean (Romans 14:14 NIV).

Although he uses "eating food and the varied choice of food" as a greater illustration in this teaching, Paul's focus is more about godly tolerance, which is a tool that can bring greater peace, joy and harmony to our lives and the lives of others. No wonder he pointed out in the next verse: "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17 NIV).

Beloved, in Christ Jesus, you should accept, receive and tolerate the one whose faith is weaker or stronger than yours, without quarrelling or disputing over doubtful matters. Then quit the judgemental attitude! Why? This is because Paul described the Kingdom of God which we now belong to, as a Kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

By righteousness, he means being and walking right before God, not a self-righteous attitude or mentality. By peace, he means - develop a non-judgemental attitude and be tolerant to live peaceful or more peacefully. Refuse to create division between you and other Christians who are not exactly like you; don't look down on them. And by joy in the Spirit, he means - embrace the joy language, which is one of the fruit of the Spirit. So rejoice in the Lord (who is the Spirit) always, even in the midst and significance of your shared experience with fellow Christians. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Romans 2:6-8; James 4:17; Galatians 6:9; Romans 12:21; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 John 3:7.

Exuberant Declaration: I belong to the Kingdom of righteousness, I enjoy peace of fellowship with God and fellow Christians; thus I rejoice in the Holy Spirit now and always. I live a life of conscious faith in Christ and its evident in my association with others as I extend God's grace to them. My conscience is a witness to what is good and worth doing, and its proven by my good works and faith demonstrations in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah!