Laying Down the Law

Romans 14:13-19

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2014%3A13-19&version=NIV;NLT

  

Parents set boundaries for their children all the time in all different areas of life. In response to the question of “What are some TV boundaries that you set for your children?” my daughter had three rules:

 

       No TV after dinner.

 

       Only 1-2 hours of TV at any one time.

 

       No TV while eating dinner.

 

Then, just in case, she installed an app on her daughter’s phone that locks her out from 8 pm to 7 am.


Parents set boundaries for their children. Sometimes they make rules. But when they get really firm, they lay down the Law.

 

Paul is writing to the Roman believers about a hot button issue of the time. Jewish Christians believed the Law prohibited them from eating meat that had been offered to idols. Whereas, Gentiles had no problem eating the same meat. This became such an issue that the Jerusalem council had to deal with it.

 

Paul wrote to the Roman church, “stop condemning or judging each other”.

 

¹⁷ For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸ If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. ¹⁹ So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. ²⁰ Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat.          NLT

 

In our culture today, we don’t really relate to conflict about eating meat offered to idols. But we can relate to judging one another. We judge others based on how they look; where they live; how they affect our life; how they act in church; what they smell like; if their beliefs match ours. The list is endless.

 

We all have our own set of rules based on our values and priorities. Then we apply those rules to others. What rules do you apply to your family; to your co-workers; to people at church; to the stranger in the car who cuts you off? Do you build others up or tear them down?

 

Once you’ve answered those questions, remind yourself of what is truly important; that only God’s word and people are eternal. Then live a life that will “aim for harmony in the church and build each other up”.

 

 

 

 

The Dick Van Dyke Show

2 John

 

 

We live in a time of moral, legal and spiritual relativism where truth is relative! You have your truth and I have mine… and both are right. There are no absolute truths. As an example, just look at how TV has changed.

 

When I was growing up Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore, who were married on the show, slept in separate beds. Today, it is common for unmarried individuals to have sex with multiple partners. What was once considered immoral is now widely accepted.

 

I don’t necessarily believe that TV was better back in the 50’s and 60’s. Or that we were more of a Christian nation back then. I am not pining for “the good ‘ol days”. But I am stating that there appears to be a decline of the truth, that as believers, we need to be aware of because that subtle decline can attack us.

 

John wrote this letter to warn believers to watch out for false teachers. Apparently even in the first century truth was under attack. In fact, over the centuries, Christians have written down various Creeds and Confessions to defend Biblical truth. In reality, the truth is constantly under attack.

 

Unfortunately Christians, in the name of truth, have often only expressed what they are against. As a result, Christians have come across as self-righteous and judgmental. That may be why John not only warned about false teachers, but he also reminded them about “a command we have had from the beginning”.

 

As the people of Israel were preparing to cross the Jordan to the Promised Land, Moses instructed them with God’s greatest command: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength”. Jesus expanded on this in Luke: “Love your neighbor as yourself”.

 

John understood that truth and love had to go hand in hand. He understood that as humans with a sinful nature, there are temptations for both. In my opinion, as 21^st century believers, we shouldn’t hammer people with the truth. We should however, obey our Lord in love, and as a result, share the Gospel in truth and in love.

 

In doing so, we may one day say the words of Paul to the Thessalonians: “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy”.

 

Therefore, who are you investing yourself into? Who are you sharing the truth and love of Christ with? Who will you be able to say in Paul’s words, “Indeed, you are our glory and joy”?

 

 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20John%201&version=NIV;TLB