During my devotional time this morning, I was reading Romans chapter 14. As I read Paul’s admonition to the Roman Christians, the Holy Spirit witnessed with my spirit regarding some issues that I have been struggling with for quite some time.
We live in a nation and a culture where the rights of each individual are lauded and trumpeted. Our rights have become the highest good. I have the right to… It is my right to believe as I see fit. It is my right to do with my body as I see fit. It is my right to keep and bear arms. It is my right…
All of the talk about individual rights among followers of Jesus has concerned me for some time.
Now, before you label me a communist and right me off, let me affirm, I am proud to live where I live, in the country in which I live. I am glad to have the freedoms we have. I own firearms, hunt, and fish. I drive a big truck…
In Romans 14, Paul writes to those in the church who exercise their freedoms at the expense of others. Some eat certain foods, others choose not to eat because their conscience bothers them. Others observe some holidays, while others do not or cannot. Some drink wine, others do not. What seems to be happening is that people are being damaged because of the factions that arise in the fellowship and the pride that drives them.
Paul tells both sides, 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. (Romans 14.7-10, NIV) Notice that he does not say one side is right and the other is wrong. He does not applaud those who eat, nor does he applaud those who do not eat. He makes the issue the Lordship of God through Christ and allows our minds, especially as it involves other people to be formed by the image of Jesus Christ.
There is a higher principle at work in the Kingdom of God than individual rights, it is our responsibility to the other. Our brother’s and our sister’s walk with God should be of more value to us that the exercise of culturally explained rights.
15 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. 19 Let us, therefore, make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Romans 14. 15, 19; NIV)
I am thinking, more and more, that it may be time to give up some of my rights for the good of others. I am CERTAIN that it is time for followers of Jesus to stop judging others, and consequently their walk with Jesus, because of their interpretations of rights.
There is an old saying that is attributed to so many people, I believe it comes from St. Augustine, In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, but in all things charity (or love). What is truly essential to the gospel is really pretty brief, Jesus Christ was crucified, dead, buried, and risen again to bring us to a relationship with God the father. That’s pretty much it.
I invite you to consider, with me, what might need to be surrendered for the good of our world, the ultimate good of our friends, and those around us, that the Gospel of Jesus might be known in us, and through us.
I’d be happy to talk some more, personally and privately, if you are so inclined.
Anyway, that is my meanderings for today…
A Pastor in Camo 