This morning I was reading in Romans 14, and couldn't help but feel this was helpful for the Church today, in light of the impact of Covid, and the many different responses we see to the different mandates concerning masks and rules for meeting. I am encouraged by the Lord to read it with a soft heart towards my brothers and sisters, many of whom would disagree with my thinking about all this. My prayer for you is that you might read it with the same heart. Here are the verses - Romans 14:1-21 NIV:
[1] "Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. [2] One person's faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. [3] The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. [4] Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
[5] One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. [6] Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. [7] For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. [8] If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. [9] For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
[10] You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister ? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. [11] It is written: “ 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.' ” [12] So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
[13] Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. [14] I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. [15] If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. [16] Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. [17] For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, [18] because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
[19] Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. [20] Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. [21] It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall."
I believe, that while these verses have to do with questions of religious observance, we can apply the principles to our present mask mandates, and rules for gatherings. The facts around much, while based on science, are in my opinion inconsistent at best, and often questionable in efficacy. However, that is not the issue here, the issue is our approach towards our brothers and sisters who have a different view, different opinion and even different health related issues.
When I used to read these verses, I wasn't happy that Paul was recommending that I adjust my life-style or my beliefs to compensate for the "weaker" in faith, or so that my brother or sister might not fail (v 20). I was judging myself to be more mature and healthy in my perspective, and felt that anything less was somehow embracing weakness or a lack of faith. Now, however, especially in light of this present situation, I find my heart moved with compassion for those who are living in fear of the virus, for whatever reason.
Paul's question in verse 10 seems to get to the heart of the matter for me, and I certainly don't want to be one to pass judgment on a brother or sister, and certainly not treat them with contempt. Paul encourages an approach that we would do well to emulate, one of making every effort to do what leads to peace and MUTUAL edification.
Let us not destroy the work of God, the building up of the Body of Christ, and the increase of the Kingdom of God for the sake of a mask, or no mask, or any mask mandate! Let us embrace one another in love, and mercy, giving grace to those who see things differently for whatever reason. Let us pray for those in church leadership who must pastor the flock through these difficult times. Let us pray for a complete eradication of this virus, and healing for those who have been affected. Let us pray for one another, that we might be strengthened in our pursuit of the Lord, and not forsake the gathering together, however that might be possible. Finally let us not judge one another or hold another in contempt for a different opinion, belief or faith.
May the Lord Bless you with Peace and Joy, and intimate communication with Him.
Sam
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