Romans 14:13, 15, 19 Therefore, let us no longer judge one another. Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in the way of your brother or sister.....For if your brother or sister is hurt by what you eat, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy, by what you eat, someone for whom Christ died.... So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another.
There are some things in the Bible that are very black and white (for ex - the Ten Commandments), and then there are some areas that are unclear (infant baptism vs believers baptism) or even left as matters of conscience (for ex - whether or not to drink any alcohol). And then there is the fact that we are all works in progress, and that the Holy Spirit continues to work on us, layer after layer, convicting and continuing the process of sanctification.
We do not see people's hearts. God alone does that.
We are not anyone's conscience. The Holy Spirit is.
We do not know people's pasts and the reasons behind their struggles and decisions. God does.
We need to be humble enough to acknowledge that, in matters where the Bible is unclear, our personal convictions may not be the same as someone else's and that's ok. In fact, we may not even always be right! (Gasp!)
We need to be patient with new and/or "immature" believers, and allow them grace on their journey as the Holy Spirit continues to work in their hearts.
We must never advise someone to go against their conscience.
We need to love.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 91-93; Romans 15:1-13
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