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the Upper Room #XLII
15 years ago
General
Judgment
Read Romans 14:1-22
Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own Lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
-Romans 14:4 (NRSV)
WHEN the TV evangelist declared his final point, I turned off the television. I shook my head and thought, How can anyone understand God's word in such a limited way? My agitation revealed the absence of peace in my heart. Questions arose in my mind: Where does my lack of peace come from? Is the evangelist the source of my unrest, or am I?
The apostle Paul, in Romans 14, clarifies that the source of unrest lies in me. When I pick up the stick of judgment and use it on another person, I permit pride to rule in my heart. Paul says that God welcomes all people with their various interpretations of the faith in the same way God welcomes me and my opinions. The details about what we think the Bible says are less vital than trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation.
We don't have to clarify or defend what we see in the details of the Bible's words. We are invited to proclaim the message of God's goodness and mercy for all people.
Paul Wayne Meier (Kentucky, USA)
Prayer
Dear Lord, open our eyes to see the love that our brothers and sisters in faith have for you, as we pray, "Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation."* Amen.
Thought for the Day
Compare beliefs of Christian denominations at https://www.religionfacts.com.
Prayer Focus
Those whose theology angers me
*Luke 11:2-4 (NIV).
Read Romans 14:1-22
Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own Lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
-Romans 14:4 (NRSV)
WHEN the TV evangelist declared his final point, I turned off the television. I shook my head and thought, How can anyone understand God's word in such a limited way? My agitation revealed the absence of peace in my heart. Questions arose in my mind: Where does my lack of peace come from? Is the evangelist the source of my unrest, or am I?
The apostle Paul, in Romans 14, clarifies that the source of unrest lies in me. When I pick up the stick of judgment and use it on another person, I permit pride to rule in my heart. Paul says that God welcomes all people with their various interpretations of the faith in the same way God welcomes me and my opinions. The details about what we think the Bible says are less vital than trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation.
We don't have to clarify or defend what we see in the details of the Bible's words. We are invited to proclaim the message of God's goodness and mercy for all people.
Paul Wayne Meier (Kentucky, USA)
Prayer
Dear Lord, open our eyes to see the love that our brothers and sisters in faith have for you, as we pray, "Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation."* Amen.
Thought for the Day
Compare beliefs of Christian denominations at https://www.religionfacts.com.
Prayer Focus
Those whose theology angers me
*Luke 11:2-4 (NIV).
I really don't know sometimes.