Articles
Resolutions For All
It's that time again, when we start thinking about the coming year and what we want to do or where we want to go or who we want to be, so we start making up "The List" and paring it down to the official "New Year's Resolutions." I know of no one who has ever made a list that aimed at being or doing worse than the year before; we are always looking to improve and do better.
A resolution is simply a firm decision and determination; it is a mental commitment to a particular course of action, and it is a worthwhile endeavor — not just for a once-a-year effort, either. Disciples of Jesus Christ should really wake up every morning with a resolution to serve God more acceptably, and become more like Him. We would all be better off if we did just that.
But if you are looking for something to add to your list, how about something God's word tells us we should resolve to do? Wouldn't that be worthwhile? Of course! What is it? Hear the words of the apostle Paul: “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way” (Rom. 14:13). From the context surrounding and including this, let us note some things worth adding to our list.
Receive Ones ‘Weak in the Faith.’ Two statements apply here; the first is found in Rom. 14:1, where Paul wrote, “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.” He adds to this later, in Rom. 15:7, when he qualifies that statement: “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.” These words are not be taken lightly, nor are they to be misunderstood.
First, note that Paul said we should receive those “weak in the faith”; that can mean either one who is in the faith, but weak, or it can mean one who is weak in the area of faith, but it should be noted that whichever interpretation you take, Paul is talking about receiving others who are, at minimum, people in the faith — believers.
Why is this important? It's important because some brethren of late are arguing that this is a command to receive just anyone into our fellowship — believers or not, and disciples or not. That is not what Paul is saying. Paul would also write, by inspiration, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” (2 Cor. 6:14, 15). God does not demand we accept unbelievers into the fellowship of believers because such is simply not possible. 'Fellowship' demands unity of belief and purpose, and an unbeliever does not have the same goals or beliefs as the believer.
The point that should be taken from this is that we are to receive others “just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.” So how did Christ receive us? He demanded we put all ungodliness and worldly desires away from us and live righteously (Titus 2:12), that we live as he lived (1 John 2:6), and that we do the will of the Father (Matt. 7:21). If someone comes to us having done these things [and continues to do these things], then we have no right to refuse them just because they may be “weak” and not understand everything as perfectly as we do. [Said with much irony.] Maybe they don't have perfect knowledge and understanding yet, but instead of rejecting them because of their weakness, we should help them to get to where they can be. Let's do better!
Do Not Judge Your Brother. Paul spoke clearly when he wrote, “let us not judge one another anymore” (Rom. 14:13). It's hard to misunderstand that, isn't it? But we still do it! We find reasons to judge our brethren on the clothing they wear [even when it is modest], their hair color, their speech, whether or not they celebrate certain holidays, the music they like, the foods they eat — and so on and so on. Sometimes, we act no better than the Corinthians, who found a way to divide themselves along any and every line they could imagine — and not for good.
Earlier, Paul had made a serious challenge to those amongst the church in Rome who were judging one another based on whether they ate meats or not: “Who are you to judge another's servant?” (Rom. 14:4); good question! The point Paul was making was that we are all servants of Christ, and if He has received us, we should not question their choices that are accepted by Him. [Obviously, this eliminates sinful behavior; brethren who are trying to force sinful acts into this passage are simply wrong.] I am a servant and you are a servant, and if we are both servants, neither of us has the right to judge the other on matters Christ doesn't care about. Let us focus, instead, on serving acceptably, and get to the work! Let's do better!
Don't Be A Cause For Stumbling. Paul was just as clear when he added, “but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way” (Rom. 14:13). In plain terms, whatever we do, we should think about our brethren and whether our actions and choices will cause them to lose their confidence in the faith and in us, as fellow servants. This would include things that are, in themselves, not necessarily 'wrong,' but which [because of their weakness] would offend them or cause them to sin by doing something they believe is wrong [in the context, eating meat, for example]. As Paul said it, your freedom is not worth your brother's soul.
Here's where we could all use a little honest self-examination regarding some of the things we do and even the places we go. I should be thinking, "Will this cause a fellow believer to stumble or sin? Would this weaken their faith? Would this hinder their service to the Lord?" Again, we are not talking about sinful activities, but things our fellow believers may believe to be wrong, because of their weakness or lack of spiritual maturity and/or knowledge. Far too many times, we assert our Constitutional rights, rather than think about our duties as Christians and brethren. Far too many times, we think to ourselves, "They just need to grow up," instead of thinking about how we can edify, rather than weaken. Let's do better!
Pursue Peace, and Build Up One Another. The final point could sum up all the previous points: “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another” (Rom. 14:19). Simply put, we should be striving to do the things that bring peace among brethren [rather than conflict], and we should be doing our best to build one another up in the faith [rather than being a cause for weakening, offending, or causing to sin]. When put in such terms, it is almost impossible to argue against that, isn't it? Who wouldn't want peace between brethren, and who wouldn't want to help others become stronger in the faith?
As disciples of Jesus Christ, doing these things would contribute much good to the growth of the church here and everywhere, and it would foster a welcome atmosphere where all brethren would want to be, and what even outsiders would see was inviting. But, friends and brethren, that is exactly the reason why we should be doing these things.
How about you? Would you join with me in resolving to do these things in the coming year? Let's do better! —— Steven Harper
