Daily Scripture: Romans 14:1 Now as for a person whose trust is weak, welcome him — but not to get into arguments over opinions. 2 One person has the trust that will allow him to eat anything, while another whose trust is weak eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats anything must not look down on the one who abstains; and the abstainer must not pass judgment on the one who eats anything, because God has accepted him — 4 who are you to pass judgment on someone else’s servant? It is before his own master that he will stand or fall; and the fact is that he will stand, because the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One person considers some days more holy than others, while someone else regards them as being all alike. What is important is for each to be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes a day as special does so to honor the Lord. Also he who eats anything, eats to honor the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; likewise the abstainer abstains to honor the Lord, and he too gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives only in relation to himself, and none of us dies only in relation to himself; 8 for if we live, we live in relation to the Lord; and if we die, we die in relation to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord — 9 indeed, it was for this very reason that the Messiah died and came back to life, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 You then, why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For all of us will stand before God’s judgment seat;
Reflection Questions:Jesus' kingdom is not just for “superstar” saints with huge faith. Paul asked believers to welcome all who had faith. Some Roman Christians were fixating on the lesser details of their faith (as the Pharisees had). In doing so, they were in danger of missing the central Kingdom ideal: living a life of love. Paul reminded them that in the end everyone answers to God, and only God knows a person’s heart. Judging another person’s faith life is likely to be inaccurate, since we can’t read hearts, and harms us spiritually even more than those we might judge.
- John Wesley, Methodism’s founder, asked in one of his best-known sermons, "Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion?” Paul reminded the Roman Christians that each person is unique, so each person's spiritual journey is, too. We need support and accountability to grow spiritually, but comparing others to ourselves and judging them is destructive and hurtful. How can you best help others on their personal journey of "knowing, loving, and serving God and others," without comparing or judging it by your journey? Who has helped you in that way?
Today’s Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for teaching us big ideas about your Kingdom, your grace and your forgiveness. Guide me through your Spirit as I seek to live out those big ideas in my everyday life. Amen.
Family Activity:
Read Matthew 7:12[Matthew 7:12 “Always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that sums up the teaching of the Torah and the Prophets.]. This is what people often call the Golden Rule. Hand out an index card to each person in your family. Have each person write, “I did or said something kind” on one side of the card. On the other side write, “I did or said something hurtful.” Ask each person to pay attention to their words and actions each day. Encourage them to place a mark on the appropriate side of the card each time they do something kind or hurtful. No one else needs to see the cards—these are just for each individual and God. Each day, work toward having fewer marks on the “hurtful” side and more marks on the “kind” side. Pray for God’s help to treat others with kindness, forgiveness and grace.
Lord Jesus, thank you for teaching us big ideas about your Kingdom, your grace and your forgiveness. Guide me through your Spirit as I seek to live out those big ideas in my everyday life. Amen.
Family Activity:
Read Matthew 7:12[Matthew 7:12 “Always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that sums up the teaching of the Torah and the Prophets.]. This is what people often call the Golden Rule. Hand out an index card to each person in your family. Have each person write, “I did or said something kind” on one side of the card. On the other side write, “I did or said something hurtful.” Ask each person to pay attention to their words and actions each day. Encourage them to place a mark on the appropriate side of the card each time they do something kind or hurtful. No one else needs to see the cards—these are just for each individual and God. Each day, work toward having fewer marks on the “hurtful” side and more marks on the “kind” side. Pray for God’s help to treat others with kindness, forgiveness and grace.
Jane Fowler serves as Group Life Program Director at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. In that capacity, she encourages our congregation to be a part of the Journey of Knowing, Loving and Serving God and others by being in authentic community and growing in your love and knowledge of Christ.
Judging others–this has gone on for centuries. The Apostle Paul warns us of the dangers of judging what others do and don’t do to determine whether someone is a follower of Christ. In Paul’s day, people worried about whether you still had to fulfill the Jewish laws after you became a follower of Christ. “Do we still circumcise our male infants? Must we abstain from eating certain meats? Do we still keep certain days of the year holy?”
Today we worry less about those things, but get caught up in other “human laws.” One must kneel in order to “really” pray. You can only baptize adults and they must be immersed; infant baptism doesn’t count. One must belong to our denomination to be worthy of taking communion. You cannot truly worship God unless you are dressed in your finest clothes, etc. Our reading today reminds us, “You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat” (Romans 14:10). The study notes in my Bible say, ”Our principle should be: In essentials, unity: in nonessentials, liberty; in everything, love.”
I value writers who have depth to their simple words, writers like Henri Nouwen. One of my favorite Nouwen quotes pops up on my daily reminders, “The secret to loving is living loved.” How are you living today?
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Judging others–this has gone on for centuries. The Apostle Paul warns us of the dangers of judging what others do and don’t do to determine whether someone is a follower of Christ. In Paul’s day, people worried about whether you still had to fulfill the Jewish laws after you became a follower of Christ. “Do we still circumcise our male infants? Must we abstain from eating certain meats? Do we still keep certain days of the year holy?”
Today we worry less about those things, but get caught up in other “human laws.” One must kneel in order to “really” pray. You can only baptize adults and they must be immersed; infant baptism doesn’t count. One must belong to our denomination to be worthy of taking communion. You cannot truly worship God unless you are dressed in your finest clothes, etc. Our reading today reminds us, “You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat” (Romans 14:10). The study notes in my Bible say, ”Our principle should be: In essentials, unity: in nonessentials, liberty; in everything, love.”
I value writers who have depth to their simple words, writers like Henri Nouwen. One of my favorite Nouwen quotes pops up on my daily reminders, “The secret to loving is living loved.” How are you living today?
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224 United States
913.897.0120
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