He is Your Brother (Reading Romans 14)

“Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, as I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” Romans 10:10-11

Romans 14 is about dealing with scruples. Scruples are things that people cannot bring themselves to do because they defy their conscience. Scruples may be things other people are totally free to do, but for some reason you just can’t go there. Being afraid to bungee jump is not a scruple. Believing that bungee jumping is behavior unbecoming to a Christian is a scruple. Sort of. But you get the point.

Within the Christian church there are things that people believe differently and strongly. The casual reader of church history can see that while Christians are united that Jesus is the Son of God, some of us just can’t bring ourselves to wear pants or use something other than the KJV. Sadly, it is all of the other things besides Jesus that we believe strongly, are ironically, the things that divide us. I do not make that statement happily!

Paul instructs us on how to handle our scruples. Rule of thumb, remember that in Christ we are brothers and sisters.

If you believe the KJV is the only Word of God, please understand the man carrying the neon, plastic coated NLT is your brother.

If you believe women who do not wear pants are strange, just remember, she is your sister in Christ. "Do not quarrel over opinions (v.1)." Paul tells us to literally SKIRT the issue! Pun intended.

If you are tired of your friend in the Church of Christ telling you that your Baptist body is fit only for Hell, just remember, in Christ, he is your brother.

If you read this blog and think I am a heretic, just remember, I love you, and Paul says that in Christ, I am your brother. Please do not despise me.