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When We See Things Differently

     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. 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 14:1-4 (NIV)

     Jesus, the more this election year unfolds, the I realize just how diverse the Body of Christ is. We see many matters and issues, and doctrines and mission quite differently. The result is often critical attitudes and dismissive labeling, death-doling words and party-spirit diatribe.

So I find great comfort in the last affirmation of Paul’s words in this text. We will stand on the Day of Judgment, not in our “rightness” but in your righteousness. You will cause us to stand, and for this we will praise you eternally. The good work of the gospel will come to a perfect completion, in each of us (Phil. 1:6).

But until then, it’s complicated. I have a fresh appreciation of the challenges Paul faced in serving the multi-cultural and poly-perspective, socially complex and theologically diverse churches of Rome. The continuum of “weak faith” and “strong faith” has never felt broader to me, or more pronounced.

Tensions between “meat eaters” and “non-meat eaters” are growing, and conflicts between politically red-right friends and blue-left friends are especially heating up. Help us recognize what the Bible actually teaches, what Christian sub-culture assumes, what personal druthers we simply treasure, and what political agendas we carry.

Jesus, may we tremble at your Word more than we trumpet our opinions. May we listen more than we launch. May we learn gentleness and meekness from you, more than we take up the arrogance and sarcasm of our “tribe.”

May we choose faith expressing itself in love over flaunting our convictions without love. May we show respect to one another with we disagree, and conflict as redemptively as possible. Help us Jesus. So very Amen we pray, in your holy and healing name.

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