I read the last 2 chapters of Romans today, and along with chapter 14, which I read yesterday, chapter 15 reminds me of a conversation I was having last week. The point was that we should obey our conscience on matters that can be disputed and are not clearly outlined in God's Word, and so if we're not sure if something is right, we don't do it, because "everything that does not come from faith is sin." (Romans 14:23) That doesn't mean that if we think differently than God's Word says, that something wrong becomes right for us. (Romans 14:22) It doesn't mean that people whose consciences differ from ours on disputable issues are wrong, or that we are any better or worse than them. (Romans 14:2-3) It does indicate, however, that we are more connected to each other than we realize, and we should be aware of respect the limits other people's consciences put on them, and do everything we can to help them live in obedience to their consciences as well, to avoid leading them to sin by doing something without faith, even if it means that we sacrifice doing things that are legitimately okay for us to do - God has us in relationship with each other so we can build each other up in relationship with Him. (Romans 14:13-15, 19-21; 15:1-2)
God, teach me to be more conscious of other people when I do something, rather than just worrying about if it's okay for me. I want to honour You, and part of that is not doing anything that dishonours someone else's walk with You by encouraging them to do something that disobeys their conscience. May I only encourage others to walk with You even closer. Amen.
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