Maintaining Unity

Reflections for this date are based on the following scripture passages:
Romans 13	Romans 14	Romans 15	Leviticus 5	Psalms 41

How do we handle differences of opinion within the church? Paul touched on this in Romans 14 as he addressed Christians from both Jewish and pagan backgrounds. There was much potential in this setting for conflict in the churches of Rome. The advise he gave them serves as good counsel for us as well.

Paul's words in chapter 14 seem to be addressed primarily to the more mature Christians. After all, the greater responsibility will be on the more mature Christian in any church to uphold unity, for they will be the more levelheaded and able to recognize the importance of adjusting their practice for the sake of unity. It will be the more mature who will have the grace in any setting to modify their conduct and their freedom to avoid conflict that might arise from the less mature who are tied to legalism.

Those who are more tied to rules than a relationship with Christ may think it a sign of maturity, but Paul refers to such people as those weak in the faith. They find security in the rules and lose their moorings when the rules are taken lightly by others. They criticize those who may take the rules more lightly as being less mature failing to recognize that the moorings of these people are founded in a mature relationship with Christ and therefore more secure than they are in their rules. So it is to the more mature who are well-founded in their relationship with Christ and less dependent on rules that Paul addresses his comments telling them to accept those who are weak in the faith and not to be drawn into arguments with them over doubtful issues. Both those who feel compelled to observe certain practices and those who do not are acting out of service to the Lord, doing what they do as unto the Lord.

In verses 10-12, though, Paul addresses both groups saying to those concerned about the rules, "why do you criticize your brother?" and to those less concerned, "why do you look down on your brother?" Both groups are accountable to God and not each other. Therefore, don't try to play god but rather recognize that "each of us will give an account of himself to God," and let God be the judge and not we ourselves. Also, recognize that "the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit."