2023 与神同行40天
Walking with God in 40 Days

旷野中的约会
Drawing Near to God
in a Desolate Place

第14天  罗马书14

罗马教会是由不同的文化背景的人所组成,有犹太人也有外邦人。被保罗称为「信心软弱的人」可能是那些在教会里的犹太人,他们已经信耶稣,却仍持守过去犹太教的传统,因此他们在食物上有所禁忌,在日期上有所轻重。被保罗称为「信心刚强的人」则可能是信耶稣的外邦人,他们信什么都可吃,看日日都是一样,不受食物与日期的约束。

人聚集在一起一定会有不同的意见,这是很正常的现象。然而,当这群人当中开始彼此「批判」的时候,就让这个正常的现象变质了。更遭的是除了彼此「批判」之外,又加上彼此「轻看」。

在上帝的国度里,真正该在乎的不是自己的意见,而是「公义、和平及圣灵中的喜乐」。但愿我们在教会中能够以接纳代替争论,以爱心代替轻看。因为我们不接纳的人,天父上帝早已接纳;我们认为该死的人,耶稣早就为他死。

简体圣经 | https://www.bible.com/bible/140/ROM.14.RCUVSS

繁体圣经 | https://www.bible.com/bible/139/ROM.14.RCUV

Day 14 - Romans 14

The church in Rome was composed of people from different cultural backgrounds, including Jews and Gentiles. Those whom Paul called "weak in faith" were likely the Jewish members of the church who had already believed in Jesus but still held on to traditional Jewish practices. Therefore, they had dietary restrictions and observed certain dates. Those whom Paul called "strong in faith" were likely Gentile believers who believed that they could eat anything and considered all days alike, without being bound by food or date restrictions.

It is normal for people to have different opinions within a group. However, when these people start "criticizing" each other, the normal phenomenon becomes distorted. What's worse is that they "despise" each other besides "criticizing" each other.

In God's kingdom, what truly matters is not our opinions but "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit." May we be able to replace arguments with acceptance and contempt with love in the church. For the people we do not accept, our Heavenly Father has already accepted them. And for the people we think should be condemned, Jesus died for them.

Reading the Bible | https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ROM.14.ESV