TITLE: WHY QUARREL OVER DISPUTABLE MATTERS AND DESTROY YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

TITLE: WHY QUARREL OVER DISPUTABLE MATTERS AND DESTROY YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

SCRIPTURE:

“Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.  5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.  10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” (Romans 14:1—10 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

            Paul addresses how believers should interact during disagreements and judgments. He wrote to Christians in Rome, guiding them on the topics of FOOD and IMPORTANT DAYS. New believers in Rome often lack clarity on acceptable foods and which holidays to honor. There seems to be a divide; those who have been Christians longer look down upon those they perceive as weaker in faith, mistreating them because of their perceived shortcomings.

Believers often forget to acknowledge the person they disagree with, viewing them as incompetent or ignorant. Often, trivial issues strain relationships and create discord within families and marriages. Here, believers are undermining each other over FOOD AND HOLIDAYS, trivial matters that can make even wise individuals appear foolish if they forget their identity in Christ. We should reflect on these issues rather than accusing others of being simplistic or foolish.

Paul’s solution is straightforward: ease misunderstandings and reduce emotional tensions. I learned from Paul that to calm disagreements, we should:

• Accept those whose faith is weak and allow them to grow in their understanding.
• Avoid magnifying differences and quarreling over disputable matters.
• God accepts individuals with weak faith because He gives them time to develop. Therefore, those of us with stronger faith must recognize that God grants grace for growth.
• Respect others’ choices; if someone chooses to celebrate Christmas on a different date, that’s their choice. Every day belongs to God, so why belittle someone who considers a day special to honor the Lord?
• Refrain from judging others simply because of disagreements; it doesn’t validate your perspective.
• Don’t treat your brother or sister with contempt just because you dislike their actions.

A wise mentor who holds different political views than I do once said, “Never let your political views take precedence over your relationships with your brothers and sisters in Christ.” Disagreement is inevitable, but it’s crucial to remember who we are to one another. I carry this lesson with me. We must prioritize people over our political beliefs or other contentious issues.

APPLICATION:

Following my mentor’s advice, I will not allow my political views to overshadow my relationships with those who disagree with me. I remind myself of this truth; it’s easy to show contempt for those I disagree with, dishonoring those for whom Christ died. I recognize my own faults in this area. I must consistently redirect my heart toward Jesus, prioritizing love over my inclination to be right in arguments with fellow believers. I will keep reminding myself of what matters most every day.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I’ve overstepped with my comments and actions due to disagreements with fellow believers. Help me remain faithful in my love for those around me, even those I struggle to appreciate. I ask the Holy Spirit to expand my heart so I can embrace those who hold differing views and recognize your work in their lives. I entrust all your children with differing perspectives to you, asking for your guidance and blessings upon them. In your name, Jesus, Amen!