Unity in Diversity

Romans 14:6-13

6 He who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. He also who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; while he who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.  7 None of us lives to himself [but to the Lord], and none of us dies to himself [but to the Lord, for] 8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or we die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For Christ died and lived again for this very purpose, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.  10 Why do you criticize and pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you look down upon or despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.  11 For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God [acknowledge Him to His honor and to His praise]. 12 And so each of us shall give an account of himself [give an answer in reference to judgment] to God. 13 Then let us no more criticize and blame and pass judgment on one another, but rather decide and endeavor never to put a stumbling block or an obstacle or a hindrance in the way of a brother.

In Romans 12, Paul in no uncertain terms reminds us of the fact that the body of Christ is a diverse community with different ways and different convictions regarding, for example, feast days and food, etc.  And Paul's point is that there are certain things and times where each believer has to act according to their own convictions, because it is that believer that will stand before God and give an account of their own convictions.  Paul is quite adamant that we are not to judge our brother within the community of believers on these things, but leave it to that believer and God to sort out between themselves.  

Paul was giving direction here to the congregation in Rome, that was a diverse congregation of Jews and Gentiles, yet they were all believers.  His advice to them was to not judge or criticize each other but to respect each other, be humble and allow for differences in opinions and ways of doing.  I think we can learn much from this in our time, because 2000 years later it is as relevant as it was in the times of Romans.

Point to ponder:

Let's ask the Lord to give us wisdom to have more mercy with each other. James 2:13 says "Mercy triumphs over judgement"

Christ Tomlin - Goodness love and mercy follow me wherever I go