Mission Faithwalk

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person's faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.  (Romans 14:1-4)          Disputable matters…gray areas…some people seem to think that everything is a disputable matter and that there is nothing either black or white. Back in Paul’s days, celebrations often involved sacrificing to some deity (including God,) after which the people feasted on what had been sacrificed. Some people thought that doing this meant they were worshipping evil gods. There’s an interesting parallel today....

And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. (Romans 13:11-14) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities against the power of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of ...

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 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." Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Rom ans 13:8-10)           “ You shall have no other gods before me.            You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below….           You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.           Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy….           Honor your fathe...

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 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. (Romans 13:6-7)           One of the things God warned Israel about when they clamored for a king was taxes. God had set up His means of supporting His social servants. If they got the king they wanted, the king would tax them and take away their freedom. But, they wanted to be like all the other nations. That sounds familiar, and it’s as bad an idea today as it was then.           I don’t mind contributing to a government that is doing its job, but what do you do when your tax dollars are spent on worthless things, frivolities, or, worst of all, things you think harmful or wrong? What do you do when the government is a bully, or an extortionist, dem...

For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience . (Romans 13:3-5) “Not My President!” We’ve heard that for the past year, and we heard that during the last administration. The notion that these men or any person is God’s choice to rule any nation is difficult for American minds to wrap around. We, the people of the United States, elected them, and some would debate that. The divine right of kings stuff is considered rubbish. Oh, we might be able to see a national leader as “God’s man” if that nationa...

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.   Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. (Romans 13:1-2)          Trigger alert! Some people, who would never be called “snowflakes” are likely to find today’s passage and commentary offensive. Those who swear by the Second Amendment and dream of the day when they get to go out in a blaze of glory as government troops push their way across their front laws aren’t going to like it. Those who claim to oppose such “fascists,” but who dream of the glory of being part of “The Resistance” in much the same terms, won’t like it, either. I’m not exactly thrilled, myself, but Romans 13:1-2 is as much a part of Scripture as John 3:16.     ...

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:  “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;      if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”   Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ( Romans 12:17-21)             This may be the toughest part of the tough Romans 12. We like to see “justice.” We want to make sure that people get what we think is coming to them. Sometimes, we insist on it being by our hands. Other times, we are content to sit back and smile as we wait for Karma – or if we claim to be Christians, God – to get’em.         ...

Shout for joy to the Lord , all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs . Know that the Lord is God.    It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;    give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100)           My deepest prayer for you is that today will be a day of thanksgiving, time spent enjoying family, friends, and food in a spirit of gratitude for all that you have received in the past year.           This year, my thoughts are turning to the focus of our gratitude. Humanists declare that Thanksgiving Day is a secular holiday. It’s a day we can express our thanks to all the people and things involved not only in today’s fe...

Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. (Romans 12:16 NIV)           In Greco-Roman philosophy, if you were born rich and free, you did not work, and you didn’t associate with people who did. If you were born a slave (and most people were) you didn’t associate with the rich and free, and you didn’t get it into your head that you could ever be like them. It was improper for people of one class to aspire to another. Your position in life was determined by the gods, and defying them meant trouble. Power was everything and one didn’t reward the weak because that weakened them further. Weakness was not to be respected or admired. The notion of “survival of the fittest” was pervasive. Then came Jesus. He taught that to be first meant being last, and being a leader meant serving everyone. Those who helped “the least of these” got it right.           ...

          Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:15)           I saw on Face Book this morning that Charles Manson died. I imagine there are some people who will think, “Good!” When Osama bin Laden was killed, people celebrated. When Americans die violently, or when Christians are slaughtered, there are people around the world who celebrate. [1] When the bad guy in the movie or book gets what’s coming to him we cheer. When something bad happens to someone we think deserves it, we smile and talk of Karma. When something good happens to someone we don’t think deserves it, we tend to be a little disappointed.           I can understand at least part of the celebration of bad happening to bad people and good happening to good. We want the good to win and bad to lose, but I don’t think our line of distinction is ...

  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Romans 12:14)           I know I’ve said before that I like Romans 12. I’ll say it again because Paul continues to tell it like it is, pulling no punches. It can be painful. Wait… aren’t supposed to talking about blessing? Yep. Blessing those who persecute, oppress, ridicule, reject, disagree, and otherwise make life difficult. He’s talking about … Liberals blessing Conservatives, and Conservatives blessing Liberals Blacks blessing Whites Whites blessing Blacks Victims blessing criminals Blessing Nazis, Antifas, Muslim extremists, mass murderers, rapists, terrorists, illegal aliens, rioters, protestors, big game/trophy hunters, Rich folks, poor folks, politicians, activists, bullies… All those people you wish would go away.          Bless, and do not curse. See what I mean? Painful. Difficult. Pulling no punches. Some people who call thems...

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Romans 12:12-13)           Déjà vu. Yesterday, I wrote about looking forward to good with an attitude or rest because you know that God cares and not only can but will bring about that good even if you don’t see it now or understand how. The next gift is patience in affliction. Patience isn’t waiting in line without killing someone. When I studied the fruit of the Spirit years ago, I learned that patience is choosing to give up godhood in your relationship with others. You no longer seek to be in control. This doesn’t mean that you give up seeking what’s best for the others. It doesn’t mean saying that what is right doesn’t matter or giving up your principles. It’s more a care of giving others time to reach your conclusion. Piece of cake, right?           Add to that the second half of that sentence. Do...

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Romans 12:12-13)          More gifts to ourselves and those around us. The first one sounds a little strange. Be joyful in hope. Can you have hope without being joyful? Can you be joyful without having hope? This one is very personal at the moment, a case of God’s timing. I scratched my eye yesterday, badly enough that I went to the emergency room this morning. I’ve never gone to the emergency room for me before. It’s such a minor thing, really, but my eye hurts and when a person is in pain, the world seems to constrict down to that pain. I’ve already sent out my prayer request – for wisdom, direction and attitude , especially attitude, every so much for attitude.           So, joyful in hope. Hope is the belief that a positive outcome will come about no matter how bad the...

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. (Romans 12:9-11)             I stopped yesterday before I reached today’s passage (obviously.) Sometimes we seem to think that each verse is complete within itself, or that what is discussed in one passage is not continued in the next. I don’t think that’s the case here. I think we’re still discussing gifts; they’re just (perhaps) a different kind of gift. If that’s the case, I think we’re also still discussing how to exercise those gifts.           The how of love is sincerely. Sincere comes from two Latin terms: sin meaning “without” and cere meaning “wax.” Disreputable vendors of clay pots used to fill in tiny cracks with wax. Reputable vendors advertised their wares as being sin...

  For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,   so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.   We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully . (Romans 12:4-8)          There is a scene in Young Sherlock Holmes in which Sherlock expresses his disgust at his inability to play the violin. When someone asks how long he’s been studying violin, he said that he’d started that morning. I can relate. I’ve tried sketching and painting. I took violin in school. I tried to teach myself to play piano. I’ve sung in cho...