Living and Loving, for the Lord

“Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not… must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them…

“One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. None of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord…

“Why do you judge your brother or sister or… treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat… [and] give an account of ourselves to God.

“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. I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 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 14:1-3,5-8,10,12-15

Paul gives a spiritual reset for the Roman saints who get tripped up over dietary restrictions. The former strict Pharisee, transformed by Christ’s redeeming grace, describes how to live out the Christian life in genuine, generous love as he zeroes in on persnickety eating and judging habits. They might think they’re doing things right but still be caught in manmade rules and attitudes of superiority and condescension. If they were truly, wholeheartedly living for Christ, they would be loving their fellow believers well. (Romans 1:7; 12:3-13)

How easily the self-righteous fall into self-centeredness! It is Satan’s ruse to muddy the understanding, experience, and exercise of freedom that salvation imparts. How we treat God’s children is a clear indication of how surrendered we are to the Savior. Whether we’re living for Him or ourselves, espouse His dictates or our own, we will answer to the true Master. Looking down on others in judgment for their conscience-led decisions smacks of pride from which Jesus freed us. (Romans 12:1-2)

What do attitudes toward and treatment of fellow believers reveal about our own hearts for Jesus? Does insecurity, ingrained but unconfessed sin, callousness, or arrogance drive our condemnatory spirit? Do we castigate others’ faith while neglecting to tend to our own?

Do we measure others’ behavior by personal standards and preferences, or by God’s word and grace? Do we impose our convictions and expectations, or humbly pray for and respect theirs? How can we turn from a critical, judgmental mindset to one smothered in God’s love? Honestly assessing our attitudes and words will uncover wrong thinking and free us to love rightly. (Romans 14:17-15:3)

Lord, may I fully surrender to living and loving for You and Your sake, to the church’s strengthening and Your glory.