Romans 14:1, 13, 19, 22. “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God.”

There is not one of us who has the right to judge anyone. All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Whether or not what we or someone else does will be accepted is the decision of the Lord and his alone. Standing in unity has nothing to do with being in complete agreement. It means realizing that some differences should not affect the solid principles and beliefs on which we all stand firm. We are free in Christ to disagree on a variety of things. But there is something bigger and infinitely more important than our individual opinions. Non-believers don’t scoff at Christianity because we don’t agree (denominationalism) but rather because we can’t seem to ‘get along’ any better than they do! They should be able to walk into any Christian church (regardless of denomination) and find the love of God evident. The way in which that love manifests itself isn’t what’s important, but rather that the love finds expression. Until we learn to keep our ‘disputable matters’ to ourselves, we will fail to demonstrate that which we all hold true – that salvation is found only through Christ’s loving sacrifice on the cross and the hope of eternal life through his glorious resurrection.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to keep my personal opinions between you and me. Teach me to demonstrate to others, through my relationship with my brothers and sisters, the love I have found in you. Show me how to build up my brothers and sisters despite our differences and help me to strengthen our church by not allowing a judgmental spirit into my heart. Help me instead to encourage others as you have and continue to encourage me…in Jesus’ name I pray - Amen.”