Heart in Bloom

Reading Romans 14 and sitting with it for the first time, I wanted to share what God highlighted for me.

For believers: be accepting of those who are learning, trying, or new to the faith. Don’t argue over the little things like clothing, hair, how to eat, when to pray, etc.

Faith is believing in God and who He says He is. It is trusting in Him and being obedient to Him. It is being in a relationship with Him.

If you are led by the Holy Spirit and something is put on your heart to do, do it.

If you are not led in the same way or feel you should do something differently from another person, but still by the Holy Spirit, don’t discourage the other person from honoring God. These are personal convictions.

You are both doing what the Holy Spirit is leading you to do to honor God. Don’t discourage one another or think you are better than the other.

This is aside from the clear rights and wrongs written in God’s Word. God is clear on what is right and wrong. A couple of examples of clear wrongs are drunkenness and sexual immorality. A couple of clear rights are loving one another and serving others.

It is important not to cause someone else to stumble in their faith.

Doing something that confuses them, shames them, condemns them, or tempts them to sin means you are no longer acting in love.

What right do you have to cause a brother or sister in Christ to stumble? Christ is the One who died for them.

Remember, we will all have to take accountability for what we have done.

Stay kingdom-minded—righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Please God, not your flesh and not others. Act in love, edify, build each other up, and pray for one another instead of talking about one another behind each other’s backs.

Correct with love and encouragement so they may do better, instead of only telling them they’re wrong.

Be aware of what you do or say around others so as not to be a stumbling block.

SUBMIT to the Holy Spirit and listen to convictions, but do not restrict others with your personal convictions. Don’t look down on or discourage them if they don’t share the same convictions.

Humbly choose not to offend a brother or sister in Christ.

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:1-23