Epistle of Paul to the Romans, 14:1-23
14:1 These verses help us to interact with others through our respective spirituality's. If a person weak or new in faith asks for your support, you are supposed to welcome them. However, if someone who is doubtful and weak in faith but challenges you (unkindly) or argues with you, you do not have to engage with them on the subject. Believe what you believe and let your life reflect your beliefs, you do not have to prove your beliefs to opposition.
Even people with "small" or "weak" faith are important to God. Remember that spirituality is a journey and He respects every stage.
14:2-3 We do not need to argue or dispute over simple matters. Situations, ideas, expressions that are different but do not harm anyone do not need to be hammered out of someone's life or personality. Example: if they eat differently than you do. The bible suggests we do not eat pork (it's not a healthy meat). However arguing with someone or rejecting them because they like bacon is a fruitless argument (no pun intended). What really matters is a person's heart... yeah okay, eating bacon might have a negative side affect on their heart. What really matters is how much compassion someone has in their soul, not how much pork-carnita they have in their belly.
The bible suggests (for our health) that we do not eat pork, and yet on one of the biggest Christian holiday's there is, known incorrectly as "Easter" (different story for a different day) the main dish is ham! Ironically comical? Yes, but not a sin.
It's a silly example but this lesson can be applied to some many life circumstances. Culturally, humans are very diverse. As long as within that diversity are the value which uphold justice and compassion, the rest are nonessential, small details. God has allowed for freedom of expression so we should not judge a person for living out their God-given right.
14:4 This metaphor is used to teach us that what is God's, is God's to handle. And we are God's: we are His children. Therefore, only He is authorized to discern what we are and do that's right or wrong. Moreover, He ensures that all of His children stand. When we work with Him, we never fall, we never fall short; any short-comings we might have He helps us to correct and triumph over.
14:5-6 Around the globe humans have declared different religions, spirituality, divinities and more. God wants you to respect them all (as long as a way of thought at its core promotes compassion and justice, it is to be respected.) Yes, some groups of people around the world are corrupt and they taint many religions reputations. We are not meant to condemn an entire group of people based on a few lunatics who pervert their way of life. Do not condemn an entire people and nation based on an organization of radicals.
God wants us to know that however a kind person wishes to communicate with Him, know Him, celebrate Him, He accepts and so should we. There are many differing avenues through which to reach Him. Destination: compassion; however we arrive there is respected by God.
One person might fast to celebrate Him, wonderful. Another person might feast to celebrate Him, wonderful. We express ourselves differently but our emotions are the same.
14:7-8 God wants us to remember that at the end of the day, at the end of a life, we are all returning to Him. We are taking different trains but we came from the same station and we arrive at the same station. Just because a person seems incompatibly different to you does not mean that they are.
14:9 Jesus came, lived and died here, to emphasis our unity. These verses taught by Paul help us to grasp that truth. Jesus came to teach that God loved the people who were currently on earth, even the ones spiritually "dead" (un-awakened in faith) as well as the people who moved beyond this life. We are meant to give and foster that same love.
14:10 Paul genuinely asks: what is the point of differentiating yourself from another? You're siblings! The clothes might be different, the language spoken, the food eaten... all of it may be different but these bodies are made of the same materials and these souls are enlightened by the same Light. It's like hating your arm... you're essentially just hating a part of yourself.
14:11 Paul reminds of the scripture which teaches that all people, all humans, all souls are going to acknowledge the truth of their creator's existence. Moreover, all humans are going to be overwhelmed in complete, frank, honest, reverence to all that He, It is. We are going to be gathered together as a family before our creator and regardless of our superficial differences, our kinship will be undeniable.
14:12 Each person will present themselves. Their true selves. Their core, their souls (and clothes and types of foods and spices and language spoken do not have any part of that). The heart and intention behind our actions represent who we are, not the type of hat we wear or type of building we worship in, if any.
14:13 Work together not against each other. Incorporate the good around you into your own life and pray that others will do the same. We all have so much to offer each other. Identify which aspects of who you are and how and what you believe can help another person in a respectful way. Realize that there are aspects of diverse culture and thought that can help you in a respectful way.
14:14 We can really jumble-up perfectly innocent things by making declarations that are ignorant of the truths of the situation, idea or belief. When humans are not being kind, they can make something good seem bad and Paul encourages us not to do this.
14:15 It's a hateful action to make someone feel bad about their different, but still good beliefs just because we disagree with them.
14:16 When we walk around with a superiority complex, we taint our own faith. Our faith can only be maintained by our humility and our compassion. God and Jesus accept everyone, and if you follow them, you must follow the example otherwise you make a good thing bad through your hypocrisy and intolerance.
14:16 When we walk around with a superiority complex, we taint our own faith. Our faith can only be maintained by our humility and our compassion. God and Jesus accept everyone, and if you follow them, you must follow the example otherwise you make a good thing bad through your hypocrisy and intolerance.
14:17-18 Always remember and adhere to the core of God's philosophy. Do not make enemies or hurt anyone's feelings by worrying about inconsequential differences like what they eat or how they speak or what holidays they celebrate. God's focus is peace and joy and those are the most important traits we need to look for in a person, including ourselves.
14:19 Our purpose and intention on promoting and ensuring peace for everyone should supersede the minor details.
Do not derail from your good and compassionate purpose. Don't ruin a good thing. You are developing your faith, allow others the continue along their journeys as well. If you are not kind to all people equally, including yourself, you are not fulfilling your purpose, or making progress or contributing properly enough to make a gain on Good's side.
What is wrong, what is evil is when you paint someone's life as bad when they're only trying to do their best with what they have and with that they've been taught.
14:20-21 We are not supposed to step on, squash, sneer at or disrespect the different ways people express their spirituality. We are each entitled to our own thoughts on how to communicate with God, acknowledge God, celebrate God.
14:22 Paul gives us this recommendation: Don't negate your faith or become a hypocrite. God has allowed people to express themselves and to be culturally diverse. He thinks diversity is beautiful and necessary. If you follow His philosophy, accept people they way He does.
14:23 Being rude to another person, not respecting their way of thought and life is not a sign of faith in God. Faith is an understanding that we are all one family. We are all of the same Tree: branching off in different directions and twists and knobs, but the same. Respect each other's beliefs and ways of expression.
