Pushing Ahead

If the human race wishes to have a prolonged and indefinite period of material prosperity, they have only got to behave in a peaceful and helpful way toward one another.

Winston Churchill (1874-1965, British statesman, Prime Minister)

Romans 14:2-4 (HCSB)

One person believes he may eat anything, but one who is weak eats only vegetables. One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat; and one who does not eat must not criticize one who does, because God has accepted him. Who are you to criticize another’s household slave? Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And stand he will! For the Lord is able to make him stand.

Much of what Paul is saying here is directed to Christians. He knew how human nature works, and he knew how a spirit of competition could cause friction in the Church. When we engage in competition it is natural for us to size up our opponent. What Paul is saying here is that your brothers and sisters in Christ are not your opponents, they are your compliments.

Paul is telling us that we are to compliment, or to build up each other before our God, and that God is able to make each one of us stand. In competition it is our wish that we succeed and someone else fails. But in God’s Kingdom competition we are racing along pushing our brothers and sisters in Christ in front of us to win, not to lose.

In fact God will make that one stand that you are pushing down and they will win in spite of you. Have you ever experienced that spiritual truth in your life? God does not allow that kind of spirit to win in the race that we are engaged in on this earth. In fact it is the exercise of considering others better than ourselves, and loving our brother as our self, it’s a different kind of race…God’s Blessings.
Pastor William

Measuring Up

Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I may not forget you.

William Arthur

Romans 14:2-4 (HCSB)

One person believes he may eat anything, but one who is weak eats only vegetables. One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat; and one who does not eat must not criticize one who does, because God has accepted him. Who are you to criticize another’s household slave? Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And stand he will! For the Lord is able to make him stand.

Once again forgive me if I continue on this subject, but there is an important word in this matter that we must not ignore. God has accepted “him.” Doesn’t this increase for us the danger of rejecting what God has accepted, indeed have we become their judge instead of their friend?

James 4:12 tells us this, “There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? Now I can’t speak for you, but I can myself and this convicts me. I say this because we really are looking at those around us most of the time with a measuring eye.

Who has God accepted, or who has He rejected? We are really in a better position before God when we leave the measuring to Him. God will handle that business without prejudice and we can avoid the presence of a criticizing spirit within us. It begs us to ask ourselves the question, “who are we,” and the answer is we are servants of the Living God, not judges. We must measure self first, amen? God’s Blessings…
Pastor William

Being A Friend

If you are looking for a friend, you will find that they are few. But if you will be a friend to many , many will be a friend to you.
Pastor William

Romans 14: 1-3
Accept anyone who is weak in faith, but don’t argue about doubtful issues. One person believes he may eat anything, but one who is weak eats only vegetables. One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat; and one who does not eat must not criticize one who does, because God has accepted him.

Forgive me if I banter on about this subject, but I think it is one that needs a further diving into the finer points of its presence in our lives. Paul extends his thoughts on the matter in Colossians 3:11 “Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and un-circumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.”

Now that’s cutting down into the heart of the matter isn’t it. What Paul is telling us is that our “Grading” is unholy and un-Christlike, for Christ is “All.” This tells me that it is Christ who defines our friends, not our lifestyle or social standing. It means that that I am letting Christ and His purposes in this world define who my friends are.

We should be allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us to those in need of Christ, it is not a choice it is an obligation that we have to Christ. Paul speaks of the importance of this again in Romans 1:14-15 “I am obligated both to Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish. So I am eager to preach the good news.” It is the Good news that should lead us in the choosing of our friends, and those befriended by Christ…God’s Blessings.
Pastor William