Let's Just Get Along

Or, say, one person thinks that some days should be set aside as holy and another thinks that each day is pretty much like any other. There are good reasons either way. So, each person is free to follow the convictions of conscience.

          What’s important in all this is that if you keep a holy day, keep it for God’s sake; if you eat meat, eat it to the glory of God and thank God for prime rib; if you’re a vegetarian, eat vegetables to the glory of God and thank God for broccoli. None of us are permitted to insist on our own way in these matters. It’s God we are answerable to—all the way from life to death and everything in between—not each other. That’s why Jesus lived and died and then lived again: so that he could be our Master across the entire range of life and death, and free us from the petty tyrannies of each other. (Romans 14:5-9, The Message)

I don’t know if you noticed or not, but I use different versions of the Bible. Some translations make more sense to me or are just easier to read. I don’t usually like The Message Bible, because it seems like it gets pretty wordy. It’s supposed to be easy to read and understand, but if the verses get too long, my attention span wanders. You know, like when you’re listening to a long sermon.

Anyway, I read Romans chapter 14 a while back and really liked what it had to say. I marked it to write about on my blog at some point. It seems like that time has arrived, and I really like how The Message Bible describes the point that Jesus is making.

So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I’d say it leaves you looking pretty silly—or worse. Eventually, we’re all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren’t going to improve your position there one bit. Read it for yourself in Scripture: “As I live and breathe,” God says, “every knee will bow before me; Every tongue will tell the honest truth that I and only I am God.”

So mind your own business. You’ve got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God. (Romans 14:10-12, The Message)

Once again, our country is embroiled in controversy and dissent. Everyone has a very strong opinion on this issue of student loan forgiveness. And no one wants to bend or wants to even rationally discuss it with the opposition.

Forget about deciding what’s right for each other. Here’s what you need to be concerned about: that you don’t get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is. (Romans 14:13, The Message)

How about if we all just stop the madness – again – and just get along. How about if we just listen to Jesus. How about if we all just take a deep breath and find peace and spread peace to others.   

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. (Romans 14:19-21, The Message)