Romans 14:13-23
Be Still: Lord, today open the eyes of my heart. Speak to me through your Word. Guide my steps and lead me in your everlasting ways. Amen
Read: Romans 14:13-23
'Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.' (v19)
Encounter: As a young man I had the privilege of traveling the world, leading worship in different nations and cultures. I remember traveling to Asia, with a Pastor who was much older than me. We’d always had fun joking with each other. In one meeting I made a joke at his expense. In the UK, people would have laughed and enjoyed the fun and camaraderie. In this country, they were horrified. They held their elders in such high esteem and were unimpressed that I would, in their eyes, ‘dishonour’ an elder. I had to apologise and learn quickly!
Paul is writing here to the church in Rome. In the decades after the life and death of Jesus, the early church was dealing with the enormity of two cultures, Jews and Gentiles, coming together as one - a new humanity in Christ. This was highly complicated and involved huge amounts of grace and understanding amongst the different groups. Both Jews and Gentiles needed to do the hard graft of understanding each other’s different values and customs, choosing to show respect and understanding. They needed to understand which behaviour and beliefs were critical to being a follower of Christ, and which were simply cultural expressions.
Apply: At Gas Street we are now a church made up of 81 different nationalities. We come from varied backgrounds and cultures – a people made up of differing ages and stages who will not agree on everything.
Where can we be quick to judge others? Where can we be insensitive to others? Where do we need to make an effort to act in a way that leads to peace?
Devote: Lord Jesus, thank you that you are the God who holds all things together. Thank you that in you, you draw every tribe, nation, culture, and tongue together as one. Help us to choose kindness and grace towards one another.