Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.
5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. 6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. 7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.
10 So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For the Scriptures say,
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bend to me,
and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’”
12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. 13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
Romans 14:1-13 (NLT)
I’m excited to delve into a topic that’s been tugging at our hearts amid the chaos of our world – tribalism. Yep, that tricky tendency we all have to divide, label, and let our differences become walls that separate us. We’re about to explore how the timeless words of Romans 14:1-13 can guide us toward unity in the midst of division.
You know, I often ponder the idea from Pete Scazarro that “differentness makes us uncomfortable.” And isn’t that the truth? In a world where tribalism thrives, we can easily seek to remove differentness from our lives – and in the process, produce even more tribalism. Have you noticed how tribalism emerges when we take disputable issues and make them indisputable? This not only fractures unity within the church but also cripples our ability to engage meaningfully in the world around us. And that, my friends, is a problem. Because it’s our differentness that reflects the kingdom of God.
At Grace Hill, our vision speaks to this: “We want to build bigger tables, not higher fences.” In a culture marked by division, it’s crucial for the church to be a counter-cultural community of grace and reconciliation. Ever experienced that awkward tension where your kids or grandkids see the world differently than you? Or maybe co-workers support causes that clash with your beliefs? Trust me, we’ve all been there.
Now, let’s get a little context under our belt. Picture this: Gentiles expressing their freedom in Christ, while Jews are still wrestling with finding Christ amidst the law. Both groups indulging in their desires, resulting in division. Sound familiar? Paul uses food and sacred days as examples of disputable matters that were tearing believers apart.
You see, as we navigate chaos, we’re going to:
Pursue The Priority of Unity in Christ: For us believers, it’s not about living for ourselves or dying for ourselves. No, it’s about honoring the Lord in both life and death. Our allegiance is to Christ – the One who died and rose again to be Lord of the living and the dead. When we prioritize our tribal allegiances over our unity in Christ, we compromise our witness and limit the impact of the Gospel on our society.
Resist the Temptation of Judgment: Ever wonder why we tend to judge another believer or look down on them? Paul’s asking the same question. Remember, we’ll all stand before the judgment seat of God. When tribalism creeps in, we judge each other over non-essential matters. But here’s the kicker – God alone is the ultimate Judge. Our focus should shift from criticizing each other’s preferences to nurturing love and understanding.
Seek a Kingdom-Centered Perspective: Did you know that every knee will bend to the Lord and every tongue will declare allegiance to God? Tribalism stems from an earthly perspective that elevates our personal preferences above the Kingdom of God. Paul urges us to consider a higher perspective – that our lives are ultimately lived before the Lord and FOR the Lord. Our priority should be to honor God, not to prove ourselves right or to win debates.
So, friends, there you have it – a call to trade tribalism for unity. Let’s step into the calling of the church – a community that rises above the divisions of the world. Let’s embrace our diversity, resist judgment, and shift our gaze to the Kingdom. The path to unity isn’t always easy, but it’s one worth walking.
In a world longing for connection and understanding, the church can be a shining example of what it means to truly love one another. Let’s be the kind of community that draws people in, where tribalism has no room to breathe. Remember, it’s not about being right; it’s about being united in Christ.
Keep seeking unity, keep extending grace, and keep embracing the journey toward a Kingdom-centered perspective.