Our scripture this morning is Romans 14:10-13.
So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, “As surely as I live,” says the Lord, “every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.” Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
We need to take this passage to heart in order to live together in faith as God intended. There are divisions between us, some political, some social and sadly, some of faith. We debate about the best solution to problems, who should lead and what is sin and what is an opinion. I’m sure it hurts God’s heart to see how we treat each other during these turbulent times.
Paul tells believers in Rome to pay attention to what is most important, our relationship with God and each other. There will always be disagreements among us about human issues but a just resolution won’t happen if we spend more time beating each other up over our positions than actually working to solve the problem. Jesus was well aware of the issues that existed during His time with us as a human, but He taught that we each must be involved personally in doing the work, not just screaming and pointing our fingers at each other.
I wish there were simple solutions to our often complex problems, and sometimes the systems we have created are an impediment to progress. However, God does not want us to be distracted. We must work together as the body of Christ, even in our disagreements, focusing on the good we are called to do in His name rather than “victory” over those on the “other” side.
Loving Lord, we find so many ways to divide ourselves from each other and that separation separates us from You. Help us to see Your image in everyone and treat each other as You have taught us. Amen.