WHEN GOOD PEOPLE DIFFER....

                      WHEN GOOD PEOPLE DIFFER

Consider with me Romans 14:1 – 15:7. This passage instructs us “how” to deal with certain disputables that arise among believers. These are those kinds of matters upon which good and faithful men differ. The paragraph begins and ends similarly. 14:1 reads, “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.” And, 15:7 says, Therefore, receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.” Too often such issues lead to the rejection of one another. Such is not God's plan for His family.

NOW FOR NINE GUIDING PRINCIPLES:

1.   THAT OF DIVINE IMPORTUNITY (14:4)

“Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.”
(In other words, God ever works sanctifyingly with His people. Because He's doing this, it is His major concern not mine. I need not meddle or be overly intrusive, although, if what my brother or sister is doing is highly offensive to me, I should "go" and confront, as per Matthew 18.)

2.   THAT OF INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY (5)

“Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.”
(Each of us must prayerfully and carefully make life decisions. It may not always meet with the approval of others, but I should have 'elbow room' to make them. I need also to give others the same freedom.)

3.   THAT OF AN HIGHER AUTHORITY (6-9)

Six times in these verses the phrase “to the Lord” occurs, and then, twice again the “Lord” is referenced.
(The eyes of the Lord are ever upon us. We must make daily decisions with that in mind. He is Lord, that is, Master of our lives. Each decision I make I must ask whether or not it meets with His approval.)

4.   THAT OF FUTURE ACCOUNTABILITY (10-12)

“So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”
(Notice we will stand there very individually...."each one"......)

5.   THAT OF BROTHERLY CHARITY (13-21)

“Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love.” (15)
(We must ever take note how what we do affects others.)

6.   THAT OF BELIEVING INDIVIDUALITY (22,23)

“Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God.”
(In some matters what we do privately before God may not be our prerogative in public.)

7.   THAT OF SELFLESS DIPLOMACY (15:1-3)

“Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.”
(Our behavior must be conducive to the strengthening of our brothers and sisters in Christ.)

8.   THAT OF BIBLICAL SUPREMACY (4)

“For whatsoever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”
(All the Bible is our text book for life. We must be sure we are understanding it correctly. If we are it will be a source of comfort and hope, as well as inner reassurance.)

9.   THAT OF CHRIST-LIKE HUMILITY (5,6)

“Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus…”
(We must love others as we do ourselves, so our Lord taught us. It's the mind of Christ who humbled Himself and left heaven's glory for us. Self sacrifice is an important Biblical principle.

A.W. Pink remarked: “Few things more adorn and beautify a Christian profession than exercising and manifesting the spirit of peace.”

-dc