Romans 14 - Unity Trumps Individual Liberties

LINK: Romans 14

BACKGROUND

This passage is about living in harmony with one another. First of all, we are not to judge one another because we are all at different levels of spiritual maturity and come from different backgrounds. What might be sin for one person may not be sin for another. We are not to judge but to leave that to the Lord when He will review and evaluate every person's life at the judgment seat (2 Corinthians 5:10). 

Even though we are not to judge other people's actions, we need to evaluate the impact some of our "freedoms" in Christ might have on other believers. What might not be sin for you may be sin for another, and you may need to abstain from it so that you do not hinder that person's growth! This is the way of love and is more important than your freedom.  This leads to unity, peace, and the mutual building up of one another. 

APPLICATION

Are you judgmental of other believers and forcing your views on them?

Is there anything that you are doing that may be causing another believer problems? Are you willing to stop it for the sake of unity?

PRAYER

Lord, help us to walk in love in our relationships by being willing to give up personal liberties. Show us those areas where we might be causing other believers to stumble or where we are judging others. For Your glory, help us to walk in unity. We ask this because You accomplished that unity on the cross. Amen.