Smoodock's Blog

Sometimes it is difficult for many Christians to stay out of the realm of God—that is to keep from assuming responsibility that is his alone. We often tend to judge our brethren for doing or believing what we don’t, or, if our brethren judge us for the freedom we embrace in Christ, we tend to roll our eyes, despising them for doing so. Paul shows us in Romans 14 that these are merely two faces on the same coin. It is a game we have learned to play only too well.[1]

Undoubtedly, Paul was writing to a fairly well diversified group of Christians in Rome, ranging from heathen paganism to Diaspora Judaism. In the midst of unfathomable pagan customs and practices, they almost daily faced questions on what a Christian could or couldn’t do. For example, could a Christian purchase and eat meat that was sacrificed to pagan idols. Remember, this was choice meat, sold at rock-bottom prices, but is it okay for Christians to take advantage of this and purchase the food so cheaply? Well, some Christians believed such food was “spiritually unclean” and shouldn’t be consumed by one who loves God. On the other hand, other Christians believed the idols were nothing more than wood and stone, and wood and stone couldn’t have a spiritual effect upon anyone one way or the other. So, what’s the answer?

“To eat meat or not to eat meat” was another popular question in the Roman church. In fact, some of the vegetarian brethren came to the point of doubting the salvation of the less discriminating brother in Christ. Some of the brethren even disputed over which day or if any day in particular was holy to God. On one side the brethren claimed the church should use the already established day for worship, but which day, the Saturday Sabbath of the Jews or Sunday that was set aside in the Gentile’s former pagan practices? Still, other Christians believed, since all days were made by God, all are equally holy to him, so no day is really more important than the other.

So it went and so it goes! In many ways this sounds a lot like 21^st century Christianity. One way or another, for one reason or another, many of us love to play the taboo or not taboo game, which in reality is not a fun game at all, nor is it a game God says we should play. Passing judgment on others is not a responsibility we have been given. We have no right to judge another man’s servant—and we, all of us, are the servants of God.

Basically, Paul made three conclusion concerning these matters in Romans 14 that spells out loving others even as Christ has loved us (John 15 12). First, we must be genuine. We need to drop the taboo masks like: “I just couldn’t do that and take Jesus with me…” and “Before I do anything about this, I’ll have to bathe the matter in prayer…” Then there are the not so taboo masks that drip with honey (read venom) like, “I’ve got confidence in me!” or “I’ve got no confidence in poor ole me,” and we mustn’t forget the greatest of all masks: “One thing about me—I’m honest.” Judging and despising others are masks that must go, if one is to mature in Christ and growing in strength and wisdom, loving people and enjoying being with them (2Timothy 1:7). In the end it is the one who shares Jesus life, and the life Jesus shares that is most fruitful (John 15:5).

Secondly, we need to be acceptant. We talk a lot about accepting one another, but do we honestly accept others in the manner Jesus accepts us—just as we are? If I criticize a person’s viewpoint, taste or ideas, I am really criticizing him no matter how much I would like to think otherwise. Often I seem to allow myself to be in the “spiritual make-over” business. Am I really trying to help this guy out, or am I trying to impose my value system on him—my idea of what is respectable, likeable or spiritual? Accepting others is not always easy; often it is very difficult. What really helps, however, is knowing that God accepts me just as I am, so shouldn’t I do the same? The one who said “Come unto me…” is also the one who said “Stop judging superficially; you must judge fairly” (John 7:24).

Finally, we need to be understanding. Being accepting will be of little value, if I don’t show myself as an understanding brother and friend in Christ. What is understanding? Well, one thing it is not is “knowing something” about my brother—having him figured out, so to speak, and being able to predict what he’ll do or say. This kind of understanding is, “I understand what is wrong with you!” That’s no more than evaluation—in a word judging one’s brother. In order to come to really understand my brother, what I need to do is really try to put myself in his shoes. Empathy can be communicated through words, actions or something as unobtrusive as a facial expression, and the lack of empathy can be communicated just as well in the same manner. It is something I really need to practice and seek God’s help to do. Remember, Jesus walked with us in the flesh (our shoes) and showed himself as a loving, redeeming, Savior. Studying how he approached us is a good way to consider how I should approach my brother.

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[1] Remember, we are still going through the book by Fritz Ridenour: “How to be a Christian Without Being Religious.” Though I have tried to put my blog in my own words, most of the ides expressed in my blogs on Romans come from this book. Some expressions are taken directly out of the book, so it should not be assumed simply because I am not constantly mentioning the book or Fritz Ridenour’s name that such ideas and expressions aren’t his.

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