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HOW HAVE WE LOVED AND HONORED SOMEONE IN THEIR DIFFERENCES?

WHAT DID GOD SAY IN HIS WORD?

13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.

16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Recall from Sunday:

Romans 14:13-15 – Your brother is bigger than the issue, so walk in love

Romans 14:16-19 – God’s Kingdom is bigger than your behaviors, so pursue the Kingdom

Romans 14:20-23 – Your conviction is bigger than my freedom, so live with conviction

Reflect:

What are the most significant notes you took during the sermon?

What did you learn about God and his plans for us from the Bible passage?

WHAT DID GOD SAY TO ME THROUGH HIS WORD?

Paul said that if we grieve our brother by what we do we are no longer walking in love, so we know that in general other people should matter more to us than the issues we divide over. What conflicts are you in right now? Do you value the other person like Jesus does

God’s kingdom is not primarily about behaviors, but serving Christ by the gifts of the Holy Spirit (here: righteousness, peace, and joy). How much are you relying on the Holy Spirit when it comes to loving other people? Are you seeking God’s kingdom or mainly satisfying your own desires?

Paul commands the strong in faith to willingly restrict the use of their freedom in Christ in order to keep their brother from stumbling. Are there people pressuring you to act against your conscience? Have you been pressuring someone to “loosen up” or “get over it” who isn’t ready yet? How can you act in love in those situations?

HOW CAN WE LOVE AND HONOR SOMEONE IN THEIR DIFFERENCES?

If the Holy Spirit is bringing to light areas of selfishness, take some time to confess those to God in prayer and ask for his help to act in love instead. Identify together one step you could take this week to make the situation right and act in God’s love instead of selfishness.

If the Holy Spirit is convicting you of acting unlovingly towards someone else’s conscience, confess that to God in prayer and ask for his help to seek forgiveness from the other person as well. Identify together how you can enjoy your freedom without hurting others.