Weak and Strong: Unified

“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing

judgment on disputable matters. One man’s faith allows

him to eat everything, but another man,

whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who

eats everything must not look down on him who does not,

and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn  the man

who does, for God has accepted him. ”

-Romans 14:1-3

                Today, many people instantly feel judged when they walk into a church. This is because many Christians have different ideas about taboos from wearing zippers instead of buttons to working on Sundays and drinking beer or smoking. However, Romans 14:1-15:13 teaches us how we should treat a fellow brother or sister in Christ. Discussing what a man eats and then what days someone sees as holy (Romans 14:5-6) are only examples about how we should not judge others based on doctrinal matters or religious practice. Many churches have different rules. Some do not use musical instruments and others require a formal dress. But this does not make them any more or less of a follower of Christ.

“If we live, we live to the Lord; and if

we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live

or die, we belong to the Lord.”

-Romans 14:8

                We have no place judging another man who is God’s child. We can judge character so we know who we should follow and hang around. But only to that extent. That is God's place alone, for it is his creation and he is the ultimate judge. We cannot condemn a man to Hell or give him a place in Heaven amongst the angels.

“Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?

To his own master he stands or falls. And he

will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”

-Romans 14:4

“You then, why do you judge your brother?

Or why do you look down on your brother?

For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.”

-Romans 14:10

                The strong are supposed to lift the weak, not in silent matters that the bible does not address but in matters that the bible speaks strongly and loudly about (premarital sex, homosexuality, gossip, jealousy, unrighteous anger, slander, etc.) and the weak should not judge the strong about what they are doing either. What one man believes and does (in matters such as instruments, buttons vs. zippers, etc.) is his own choice and his interpretation of what should be or not be done.

“But if anyone regards something as unclean then

for him it is unclean.”

-Romans 14:14

                We must keep each other from stumbling and act in love. If one brother believes something is unclean, do not do or say anything that will anger him. Keep what you believe between you and God (Romans 14:22) but rather help lift him up by not partaking in eating the unclean thing.

“If your brother is distressed because of what

you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your

eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.”

-Romans 14:15

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads

to peace and to mutual edification. Do not

destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food

is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes

someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat of drink wine or to

do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.”

-Romans 14:19-23

               

                The duty of a strong Christian is to lift the weak and less mature in spirit (Romans 15:1). Christ came not to please and help himself but rather to help those who needed saving, the unbelievers and the spiritually weak. We need to unify ourselves as the body of Christ and accept one another. For through faith we are all saved and share the same Father. You can lead a man to knowledge, but you can’t make him think. However, Romans 14 and 15 should not be used to support homosexuality or abortion or anything else the Lord declares wrong and sinful. We need to remember, Jesus is our savior, not a religion and each man and woman must give account of himself to the Lord. Don’t let judgment and wrongful criticism destroy you.

The Bible and Politics

              The presidential elections are being held this year in November and the candidates are going on their campaigns. Everyone is starting to decide who to vote for and others are choosing to remain loyal to their registered party. But for a moment, let’s forget about political parties. What’s really important is what the person stands for and what their moral values are. Who is going to bring God back into our country? Is there anyone at all? What needs to happen is for the voters and citizens of our country to listen to what the candidates have to say and what’s important to them.

                Who should Christian voters vote for in 2012? All of the candidates profess faith in Christ, but faith does not equate to a calling to be President, nor does profession of faith equate to faith. In the past, many have touted their relationship with Jesus to draw support and votes from Christians during the primaries, only to turn their backs on us during and/or after the general election. America does need a righteous leader, one who is wise and capable and experienced, one with strong leadership ability. Ultimately, elected officials remain responsible under God for their actions and decisions, and we need to pray for whoever ends up in office.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers,

intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings

and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives

in all godliness and holiness.”

-1 Timothy 2:1-2

                The issue is not whether we want a God-fearing president who will lead America well. Of course we do. The issue is that a church leadership or church body might back one candidate over all the others, as though the voice of God had spoken. One pastor may support the candidacy of Rick Perry and another pastor might support Barack Obama. The fact that a church leader backs a particular candidate does not necessarily give God’s view on the matter. Voters need to do their homework.

                First, we must recognize that God ordains who should lead.

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities,

for there is no authority except that which God has

established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”

-Romans 13:1

                The bible constantly states that leadership is a position given by God. That does not mean that those who became leaders obeyed God or served Him well. There are plenty of kings and rulers in Israel who turned away from God and followed their own desires. Yet, God still gave them the position for His purposes.

                The United States is a representative form of government, which means that the people of America have far more control and responsibility over what happens in their government than do the citizens of a dictatorship or a kingdom. The United States was formed as a government of, by, and for the people, and Christians have the same civic duties as all citizens. However, it seems that the leaders of our country, whether in the judicial, legislative, or executive branch, are becoming more tyrannical. Wicked leaders cause a country to fail, and that is what is starting to happen to America.

“By justice a king gives a country stability, but one

who is greedy for bribes tears it down.”

-Proverbs 29:4

“A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving

rain that leaves no crops.”

-Proverbs 28:3

“Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked

man ruling over a helpless people.”

-Proverbs 28:15

“When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;

but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.”

-Proverbs 28:28

                Also, our nation’s government should not be so large. A smaller government is better for the country as a whole. Once one man becomes wicked, he poisons the whole system (Proverbs 29:12).

“When a county is rebellious, it has many rulers,

but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.”

-Proverbs 28:2

                Regardless of how leaders conduct themselves, either in their personal lives or in carrying out their official duties, they must be obeyed. But their ungodly examples are not to be copied. By respecting those who hold offices through the authority and permission of God, we actually show respect to God Himself. While their personal conduct may be far from praiseworthy, even to the point where some corrupt the very government that they represent, they are still appointed by God to preserve order and punish law-breakers and wrongdoers.

“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must

obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what

they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up

heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are

not willing to lift a finger to move them.”

-Matthew 23:2-4

                However, the salvation of the world ultimately lies in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, not the messy thing we call politics. Government decisions are important but only the blood of Jesus can save us.

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one

comes to the Father except through me.”

-John 14:6

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given

among men, whereby we must be saved.”

-Acts 4:12