In the CSB, Romans 14 is divided into two subheadings: The Law of Liberty and The Law of Love. As I was reading this chapter, I had to reflect on the American church. Are we following the instruction Paul gives us in this verse, or do we completely disregard it?
In the first half of the chapter, Paul talks through the disagreements people have regarding rules of the faith. His point is to basically not let differences in what you eat cause division in the body. If some eat meat and others do not due a theological difference, that is fine, but neither side should look down on the other.
In the second half, Paul focuses on love. We should not be judging each other, but seeking to love each other, to build each other up, and to pursue peace.
I truly believe that one of the greatest enemies of the church is the church. Satan is crafty. He can do much more damage using people within the church and infiltrating it form the inside. Sure, he attacks it from the outside as well, but I think often times, more damage is done when he uses people’s flaws and sinful nature who are already part of the crowd.
Because of our sinful nature, we are naturally bent against unity and love. In our pride, we’d rather judge others, puff out our chests, and tell others why our way is best. We want to look down on others to make ourselves feel better. Or, we feel the need to judge others because they don’t fit nicely with our personal convictions and interpretations of the Bible.
As my church is going through a transitional period while we wait on God for a new senior pastor, it’s easy to focus on the structures, processes, programs, etc. rather than love. It’s easy to have tunnel vision and see the church like a business rather than a community of faith. It’s easy to argue about details instead of seeing the big picture.
God’s call on our lives is not to lead a program, to lead a Bible study, to teach others the Bible, or to stack chairs after service. He calls us first and foremost to love others. To love those who are less than. To love those who are dirty. To love those who are difficult. He might call us thereby to lead a Bible study because we love people who need it. We might be called to be on the worship team because we love people and want to help them experience God’s presence in song. He might call us to help kids because we love them.
Doing what we want, or what we think God is calling us to do without love is at the best, pointless and at the worst, damaging. Paul makes this evident in 1 Corinthians 13. My prayer is that we, the Church, would stand during this difficult time in American history and love each other, pushing each other towards Christ, and fight back against the urge to fight and divide. There’s no division in God. Neither should there be in us.