Links for today’s readings:

Read: Ezekiel 11 Listen: (3:53)
Read: Romans 14 Listen: (3:28)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Read: Ezekiel 12 Listen: (4:26), Read: Romans 15 Listen: (4:32)
Read: Ezekiel 13 Listen: (4:14), Read: Romans 16 Listen: (3:30)

Scripture Focus: Romans 14.13-21

13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

Reflection: Disputes Matter

By John Tillman

Things outside the core teachings of Christianity are sometimes called “secondary issues” or “disputable matters.” Paul says disputable matters shouldn’t cause disputes. And yet…we have many disputes in the modern church.

Public disputes about secondary issues affect Christians and non-Christians. Unbelievers tell me, “If God is real and the Bible is true, why doesn’t everyone agree?” Christians face a similar frustration. “The Bible is clear! Why don’t all believers agree?” This frustration can cause doubt or deconstruction of faith.

The Bible is clear on many things but not everything. Paul knew this. Paul’s former colleagues, the Pharisees read the same Torah as the Sadducees, yet disagreed on important matters. One major example is that the Sadducees did not believe in resurrection. Pharisees did. Paul used this to his advantage when defending himself before the combined council. He got the Pharisees on his side by declaring his belief in the resurrection of the dead! (Acts 23.6-9)

Christianity falls apart without belief in the resurrection. It’s a core truth. But is it a problem that we disagree on secondary things?

First, universal agreement is an unrealistic expectation and a false assumption we don’t apply to other fields of study. There is broad agreement about the central tenets of complex topics, but views diverge at the fringes. In physics, mathematics, and literature, there are unproven theories, debates over the meaning of data, and varied interpretations. That doesn’t make these topics worthless or their settled conclusions false. It makes them interesting and demonstrates their commitment to seeking truth.

We don’t need universal agreement to be united under Christ’s authority. We don’t need to disrupt fellowship unless we disagree about core truths. However, don’t use this freedom to sin or encourage sin. (Galatians 5.13) Paul doesn’t encourage the Romans to become wishy-washy, doubtful, or cave to culture, but to lean into scripture and fellowship.

Embrace curiosity and pursue deeper understanding. Take the scripture seriously and hold to it tightly. By engaging the scripture in a community, make up your mind and live out your convictions but don’t use them to judge or attack other believers. Paul tells us not to judge others or tempt them to act against their convictions.

Don’t let variances of interpretation in secondary matters tempt you to throw out scripture or Christian siblings. Bear with one another. Allow others the same freedom in Christ you enjoy.

From John: Some might ask, “Where do we draw the line between core teachings and secondary issues?” It’s a good question. But there’s no room in a 400-word devotional to answer it. The shortest answer I can give is, that if it is not mentioned in the Nicene Creed, the Lausanne Covenant, or Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis, there is a strong chance it is a secondary issue. A humorous answer is that where to draw this line is also a secondary issue.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

God is a righteous judge; God sits in judgment every day. — Psalm 7.12

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more about More Important Matters
Jesus identifies the most important matters of the law as “justice, mercy, and faithfulness.” We can’t ignore them, hyperfixating on rule-following.

Read more about Supporting Our Work
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Links for today’s readings:

Read: Ezekiel 10 Listen: (3:16)
Read: Romans 13 Listen: (2:35)

Scripture Focus: Romans 13.7-10

7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”  and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law

Reflection: The Debt We Owe

By John Tillman

What debt do we owe? Why do we owe it? Who do we owe it to?

Paul lays out civil obligations to submit to authority, have respect for law and order, and pay taxes to support those serving in government. These are intertwined with Paul’s concern for our moral obligations. Paul sums up what we owe in one word: Love.

In seminary, I performed with a creative arts team that traveled to churches, conventions, and camps performing and sharing the gospel through drama and dance. On a few occasions, we were given a “per diem” for expenses instead of a credit card. As the director, I received a large amount of cash and was charged to give each team member a specific amount of money for each day’s meals. As soon as I received that money, I owed a debt to each team member. It was not my money. It was theirs. I owed it to them.

I could have kept the money. I could have given smaller amounts than instructed, then bought myself extravagant meals with the extra. I could have paid part of my college loans or my tuition with it. Doing any of those things would have defaulted on the debt. I would have stolen from them as surely as if I took money from their pockets. I would also have stolen from the one who gave me the money in the first place.

This is the situation we are in with the love of God. He freely gives to us and commands us to freely give to others. (Matthew 10.8) God’s love is for us, too. Just as the per diem cash was intended to feed me too. But if we lavishly enjoy and indulge in God’s love for us and never give freely of that love to others, we are defaulting on our debt. We rob God and harm our neighbor.

Some want to qualify or minimize our debt of love. For example asking, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10.29) Kinists and racists justify themselves by saying “your neighbor” is only Christians or only your race. These false teachers counsel us to eat more than our share of the per diem. Jesus disagrees. (Matthew 25.45)

What debt do we owe? Love. Why do we owe it? Jesus. Who do we owe it to? Everyone.

Don’t default on our debt of love.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek you be disgraced because of me, O God of Israel. — Psalm 69.7

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more about Racism Wears a Mask
It is rare that a person will admit, even to themselves, that they act out of racism directly. Racism always wears a mask.

Read more about Friendly Neighborhood Christians
You don’t need to be a “hero” influencer or leader. Don’t underestimate the power of being a “friendly neighborhood Christian.”

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Ezekiel 7 Listen: (4:32)
Read: Romans 10 Listen: (3:21)

Scripture Focus: Romans 10.12-15

12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Reflection: No Difference?

By John Tillman

The founding document of the United States says “all men are created equal,” yet its authors and signers failed to live out that principle fully. We still have difficulty living it out both politically and spiritually.

Ignoring racial, socioeconomic, and cultural differences is difficult. We often look down with distrust on those from poorer backgrounds or countries or we resent the wealthy upper classes who come from different circumstances.

The greater the difference, the harder it is to see them as “equals.” Legal equality isn’t the same as equality in our hearts.

Paul said there was “no difference” between Jew and Gentile. Isn’t this unrealistic or delusional? The Jews and Gentiles saw differences.

The Jews had “paid their dues,” serving and submitting to God’s laws for centuries. How could Paul make the Gentiles equal to them by saying that there is “no difference?” Jews viewed their culture as advanced and their wisdom beyond reproach. Jews were “chosen.” Gentiles were not. Jews were “holy” Gentiles were “unclean.” Jacob was “loved.” Esau was “hated.”

There were differences of language, dress, customs, food, holidays, and rituals. Both groups thought the other strange. Within each group there were those who had suspicion, disdain, or open hatred toward the other group.

Paul wasn’t saying that Greek and Jewish art, food, educational systems, or customs were equally good. Paul also was not picking winners or losers in a cultural conflict. Paul was describing a spiritual status that makes all the other differences unimportant by comparison.

The only difference that matters is being in Christ or not. And the only thing Paul calls us to do about the difference, is to evangelize. Not to blame. Not to fear. Not to accuse. Not to demonize. Not to fight or win. To evangelize.

It is difficult to evangelize those you demonize. It is difficult to share the truth with those you slander. It is difficult to tell good news about Jesus when people hear the bad news you share about them. This makes beautiful feet not so beautiful. (Isaiah 52.7; Romans 10.15)

Paul does not say everyone who votes or eats, prays or sings, dresses or worships like us will be saved. He said, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Joel 2.32; Acts 2.21; Romans 10.13)

Let us not call unclean what God calls clean. (Acts 10.15)

Let us be dedicated to making it possible for all people to call on his name.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Sing to the Lord and bless his Name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations and his wonders among all peoples. — Psalm 96.2-3

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more about Don’t Rebuild Walls Christ Destroyed
Christ destroyed the dividing wall of hostility…Let us not, therefore, allow some Christian voices to entice us to rebuild these walls.

Read more about Prepare for the End
Christians are sometimes guilty of looking forward to the apocalypse like a private revenge fantasy. Just a hint: imagining everyone who was mean to us burning isn’t Christ-like.