Friday, December 7, 2012

Grey Areas

Sometimes issues arise in life that the Bible appears to not have discussed. In Romans 14 the Apostle Paul says about these areas believers want to live in a freedom that is balanced by care for the conscience of believers who may live in less freedom than we do and an attitude lacking judgement toward those who live in greater freedom than we do.

One of the things Paul said in Romans 14 is that some consider every day a holiday (holy day set apart to God) whereas others celebrate particular days as holidays to God. Paul said we should be mindful that first we are faithful to God and do not doubt the way we are celebrating. Then we consult God to see if those in our sphere of influence are being harmed by the way we are living and then we need to not be judgmental of those who celebrate holidays to God differently.

When we consider the conscience of others and lacking judgement these are not meant to put us in bondage. For example, Paul was a Jew. Before he became a Christian, he believed it was wrong to have friendships with non-Jews (Gentiles). Some Jewish Christians continued not to associate with non-Jews. Paul did not. He formed friendships with non-Jews like Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia. Some considered his friendships with Gentiles a stumbling block (something that hinders the faith of others) but it wasn't.

Paul wanted those who had weaker consciences to be welcomed and respected and ultimately raised to a higher level of faith motivated by love. Philippians 1:9 New International Version Bible says, "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ -- to the glory and praise of God."

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