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Romans 14
May 28, 2014 12:39:35 GMT
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Post by cspain03 on May 28, 2014 12:39:35 GMT
Good morning everyone ! Just to highlight Crystal's point, can we gather a consensus on when to reschedule this past Sunday's missed prayer call? I am down for whenever
In Romans 14, this stood out to me:
13 Therefore we must not pass judgment on one another, but rather determine never to place an obstacle or a trap before a brother or sister.
Well, there it is, plan and simple, we see here the specific instruction to not judge NOR place an obstacle before a brother or sister. I don't knows boy y'all, but this can be a challenge for me. I think in the 21st century, judgement comes second to breathing, we just do it. Sometimes we realize it and may whisper a prayer of apology but often we just judge and keep on moving: what does she have on?!?! Oh you thought you were cute huh? He better chill with all that, he ain't that attractive. Who do they think they are, there's got to be something wrong with them to do something so stupid. Look at the busted car, he's so lame! She should know better than to ____" etc the list goes on.
The scripture says we've gotta stop with all the judgement. But it also says we should place stumbling blocks in front of our brothers and sisters. I can think of a few times when I set someone up and the were caused to stumble. I feel like those intended stem from jealous, insecurity, and anger - none if these are good. We've got to push passed the knee jerk reaction to get back at someone or teach them a lesson - let God do the teaching ! And trust that He knows what He's doing and all things will come to pass in His time.
Have a great day !
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Post by crystalc on May 28, 2014 17:13:28 GMT
Good afternoon family! Man I love y'all!!!! This is what stood out for me.... Verse 19 Amplified version saysSo let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual upbuilding (edification and development) of one another. The message version even more plainly stated... Romans 14:19-21 MSG
So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault.
The church, especially the black church, has a way of being very condescending to the people who don't "do church" like they do. They make mountains out of molehills. They cant worship if the pastor isn't there and don't let them sing something that ain't churchy. They're ready to crucify the first homosexual they see or stone the women with kids out of wedlock. We can't live that anti-love lifestyle out of tradition or custom. Our obligation is to do things the Bible way at all costs. People say all the time that they won't go to church because the people are mean and in many cases that's true. Let's just forget all that trivial stuff and love folk. To be honest our opinions aren't really that important. God has great things to do through us but not while we're fighting over spilled milk. We have to stay busy Lifting people up, encouraging them, and bringing God glory...KINGDOM BUSINESS!!!
PEACE & LOVE
Crys |
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Post by amboyd on May 29, 2014 6:06:16 GMT
I'm so glad that you all decided to be a part of my FRAMILY plan because these posts are great lol! Both CC and Courtney touched bases on what was really important about this chapter. It is definitely hard not to judge someone, especially if you see someone judging you (someone looking at you up and down or giving you that stank face). We often put ourselves in attack mode when we start to feel uncomfortable or threatened or if we just don't get a good vibe about someone, but we have to realize that they are humans just like us and we don't know what they are going through. Showing love (even if you have to fake a smile or fake being pleasant) just may be what that person needs, no matter what they have said or done.
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Post by Quia on May 29, 2014 17:59:55 GMT
Hey guys,
Here is what stood out to me in Romans 14.
1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
So this said alot about our human nature. We are sinners from birth and it is basically embedded in us to make judgment calls. Like Court said, it's basically like breathing. It is second nature and even though it may have started of harmless, once we are of the maturity level to understand that it is morally and spiritually wrong, we have an obligation to change this behavior. In thinking about this, God questioned me about who is your master? The verses says "to his own master he stands or falls." The things that we place emphasis on when judging another person is the thing that has become our master whether we realize it or not. For example, ugh his shoes are raggedy, whack etc. Or I'm not dating any guy if he can't spend this, buy that, doesn't make this amount etc. MONEY IS YOUR MASTER! You can't begin to cultivate any type of relationship with anyone if you're concerned about their financial status. We've seen that in many of our readings Jesus called the disciples to SELL their things. If God was our standard, money/jobs/financial status would never be how we gauge whether or not we want to befriend or talk to someone. We also judge people off of their interests. If we think it's cool to hang out at the club or go to the basketball game instead of playing Chess or hanging out at the museum, it could be said that we've let popular culture determine how we view others. Just because people don't have the same interests as us doesn't mean that they can't be a functional and phenomenal addition to the kingdom, but we don't even extend the invitation.
This reading also made me think of the process of becoming a follower of Christ in reference to the verses about eating different types of food. This again speaks to maturity. Who are we to judge someone because they aren't as far in their walk as we are? I'm guilty of this too. We look down on others who don't as easily/readily understand or practice the things of God (eat only vegetables) as if we have somehow done something that is worthy or higher recognition or honor. Honestly, we are WORSE than them if we have the tools to equip and help them and instead choose to make ourselves seem better by looking down on them. This speaks to what Crystal was talking about as far as church folk go. Finally, we must remember that in all of this we have our own account to give to God. So while we're so busy pretending to live a RIGHTEOUS life by talking about others who we think aren't living right, we end up being absolutely WRONG and will have to stand before the throne to be sentenced to eternity in hell or heaven. CHOOSE WISELY FOLKS!
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