Devotion - Tuesday, August 19

Romans 14 is a great passage for us as we begin a new year together.  Here, Paul addresses the great variety of understanding and previous exposure to the practices and convictions of the community.  He uses the term "weak," but we should not take this to be an insult.  He also speaks of eating "vegetables" as a limitation; the reference is avoiding meat that was offered to idols.

Paul writes: "As for the one who is weak in the faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions.  One believes they may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.  Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgement on the one who eats; for God has welcomed him."

It would be a horrible thing if the group who gathers for Wednesday meals and/or Sunday worship were all identical.  C.S. Lewis advised that being of "one fold," does not mean "one pool."  In order to be the people of God, we must include all those whom God has welcomed.  (And God welcomes everyone.)

Some among us will be the home-town-champion at Bible bingo.  Others will find it difficult to locate the book of I Peter.  Some will appreciate the earlier reference to C.S. Lewis, others will have no idea who that is.

Looking again at the passage, it may be helpful to read "weak"  as "having had the luxury of idle reading."  Those who have had such a luxury will have more information at their disposal.  Those without such a luxury will have other experiences to share and offer the community.  God forbid if our variety of gifts were to lead to "disputes over opinions."

Do not be concerned about your own prior exposure. Do not be prideful in your knowledge.  Come, because God has welcomed you, into the community which bears the name and mark of Jesus.