If the church
wants to have unity in the midst of diversity, here are some principles believers
must put in place. Genuinely accept one another. No one should look down on another
believer because of dissimilar practice. Be aware that two Christians can
disagree with one another over customs and social habits and yet both be
perfectly right with God. Refuse to judge others while submitting to the Lordship
of Christ. Be aware that will all stand before Christ, our judge, to give an account
of ourselves to Him.
Here in verses 13-23 Paul outlined four important
things believers need to have, in order to achieve unity in the midst of
diversity. Firstly, in verses 13-15, he urged believers to make up their mind
not to be a stumbling block to others. We should not insist that the practice of
other believers must suit our personal preference. We are all free to practice
our convictions but we are not free to hinder a fellow believer. Every believer
should seek to exercise restraint on his or her personal liberties.
The emphasis here is not on the right or wrong of a
practice per se but on the attitude that every believer must adopt in relating
to the brethren. It is important for Christians to have a right verdict concerning
faith and practice. In verse 15, Paul tells us that the preference of food
should not just be about being right or wrong. It ought to be a matter of love.
The primary focus of love is edification. It seeks to build the brethren and
never tear down or destroy them. Love will not cause the brethren to be
stumbled. Therefore, the Christians’ preoccupation should always be love and
not merely liberties.
Secondly, in verses 16-18, Paul switched to call believers to live as
citizens of God’s kingdom. Living in this kingdom is about living with right
priority. Know that the Kingdom of God is not about food and drink only, he
said. The Kingdom of God is about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy
Ghost. Therefore, food is secondary and should not become a matter of contention.
Thirdly, in verses 19-20, the apostle encouraged the pursuit of what
will be mutually beneficial. Seek to be a
light rather than a judge in our Christian liberty. Put at the forefront of
your mind this question: “Do I build up another by the way I behave?” Do things
that will edify other believers to build their faith.
Finally in verse 22 and 23, Paul admonished believers to do everything
with a clear conscience. He gave an advice, each to the strong as well as the
weak. He urged the strong ones to keep neutral things as a personal matter
between them and God. One will feel happier and blessed and will not have to
berate oneself, when faith is exercised knowing that others are not offended what
one does. Then to the weak he said, “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not
from faith is sin.” What Paul is saying is that a person should
not act against his own conscience just to please others. Don’t be pressurized by
others into sinning against one’s own conscience. While our conscience may not
be an infallible guide, it is nonetheless wrong to go against it. We ought to
never sin against our conscience, no matter who pressures us to do so. The right
motivation to do anything is when we believe it is the right thing to do. It
would be wrong when we do things out of social convention, or because it is popular,
or to please men.
Action steps to
consider: (1) determine not to stumble others; (2) behave as a citizen of God’s
Kingdom; (3) act for mutual benefit; and (4) live with a clear conscience
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