July 29, 2011

7-29-11 Friday, 7:18 am Springfield, 76 degrees sunny

David and Danelle arrived last night, as did Audrey. They picked her up at the airport as she was returning from a week away in Baltimore and Lynchburg. In their journey to purchase their first home, they placed a contract on a house in O’Fallon yesterday (unseen yet by Danelle) and it was accepted! Now for the inspections, financing, etc. They will be visiting here until Sunday, and it is so good to see them. Audrey had a great time visiting with her brother’s family and the Rickets’.
Today I will be in and out of the office, with a wedding rehearsal tonight. I will be preaching the same sermon in the gym on our Lutheran roots as I preached last week in the three sanctuary services. Next week I will wrap up this series with a message on the Pentecostal/Charismatic roots, with the emphasis on experience and power in the believer’s life. I have a book by Clare Weakley entitled John Wesley - The Holy Spirit and Power which is her paraphrase of selected writings by Wesley on this topic.

Romans 14

This entire chapter contains instructions about how to live by faith and not judge other believers who have different practices, nor do things that would make other Christians stumble in their walk. The specific issues in Paul’s day were the honoring of special days, and the eating of meat that had been prepared in pagan temples. In verses 1-12 he instructs us not to judge others who are seeking to please God and in their practice they feel led to do or avoid certain things. “Each of us will be accountable to God.”(Verse 12) In verses 13-23 he emphasizes the impact of our choices on other believers, and the importance to live in such a way that someone whose faith is growing will not be confused by what you do in the freedom you experience in Christ. Paul was convinced that all meat is “clean”, and in verse 15 he says “If your brother or sister is being injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love.”

The conclusion stated in verses 22-23 is vital: “The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve.” The content of this chapter led me to make the commitment as I turned 50 to abstain from beverage alcohol for two reasons – first, because of how it would impact other believers, those who struggle with addiction and those who are convinced it is sinful, and second because of the potential impairment to my availability at any time day or night to respond to a pastoral need. Up until the age of 50 I would have a glass of wine occasionally with my wife, and a beer now and then with my pastor buddies. I am convinced that my present approach is healthy, and this chapter of Romans has many practical implications for believers, especially as each person interprets God’s word, and applies it in their specific culture and context.

Guide me Holy Lord as I serve you in this present age, and look forward to the age to come!