| II Chronicles 29:1-36; Romans 14:1-23; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverbs 20:12
“Accept anyone who is weak in faith, but don’t argue about doubtful issues. One person believes he may eat anything, but one who is weak eats only vegetables. One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat; and one who does not eat must not criticize one who does, because God has accepted him. Who are you to criticize another’s household slave? Before His own Lord he stands or falls. And stand he will! For the Lord is able to make him stand…so then, we must pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another.” (Romans 14:1-4, 19)
We are all one in Christ and fully accepted by Him. With that in mind, we must know that as human beings we are all at different levels of growth. Maturity is not connected to physical age nor is it linked to years that one has been saved or how many scriptures a person can recite. Adulthood in Christ takes years and comes about through actually applying the scriptures we learn. I like to call it where the rubber meets the road. Even grown-ups in the Lord have their areas of struggle as well. That is why it is so important not to pass judgment on people.
I know it’s difficult sometimes and I’m not saying you can’t make an informed decision concerning someone. Meaning, if the fruit of someone’s life would obviously stray you then it’s not wrong to pull away from them. But remember, let God do the judging. It’s not necessary to talk about them or even set notions in your own mind. Just let God be God and pray for those you see who are obviously struggling. It may not necessarily mean they aren’t saved but rather they have some weaknesses or areas that need some attention.
To bring the scripture above on home today – if you feel you cannot do something, then don’t bring your conviction on someone else. And don’t do things in front of someone that doesn’t have the same belief. Don’t bring up stupid things that don’t really matter that cause division either. Who knows the heart of an individual? God alone. He is the only one who has seen what we’ve been through. When we are His we are accepted by Him and that’s what counts. It is to Him that we live, and He is fully capable of bringing us to where we need to be.
Let’s spend our energy on building up, not tearing down. Let’s not waste time on nitpicking others, rather, let’s work on ourselves and let the Lord do the work of change in all of us. So, unless it’s a major deal that needs to be addressed, let’s major on the majors and let the minor stuff go.
PRAYER:
Lord, I pray that You will help me to stay focused on correcting my own short comings. I don’t really have the strength to keep placing my convictions on others. I’m tired! I release myself and all people into Your hands. You are the great God of Heaven and Earth and I give You praise! In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen. |
