All Together Now
Romans 14 begin this way: “As for the one weak in faith, welcome him…” Paul goes on to explain that a person weak in faith is naturally-minded. They are the believers that are prone to major in the minors. They tend to argue over the details of our natural life, such as what is the best and healthiest way to eat, the most important of holidays and traditions, and what is clean or unclean. Because their perspective is limited to the visible, their view is usually the seen as the only correct one. When around the “weak” it is easy to get sucked into arguing with them about the non-essentials, so Paul encourages us to give them some space.
The fifteenth chapter begins by saying: “The strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak.” Don’t judge them for their limitations, but rather build them up. To do this one must have endurance and be encouraged through the Scriptures. It is so easy to get hung up on the differences of our varied and natural world views, rather than see with eyes of faith the bigger picture. It takes a special grace to live in harmony with one another, so that together, with one voice we can glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 15:5-6)
When I was in my early teens I was part of a marching band. My instrument was the trombone. We were taught to march in different patterns on the football field, while playing our instrument. At the beginning, it all seemed quite confusing, as the drums went in one direction, the horns in another and the big tubas spinning around. But with our eyes on the conductor, there came a time when he lifted his baton and said, “All together now”, and the band would come together in a very well-orchestrated and choreographed crescendo of music, color, and rhythm. The spectators would break into applause, as what seemed to be a confusion of every one doing their own thing became a well-planned symphony of movement and sound. Everyone was surprised at the end result. Those on the field could not see the design of the marching, but as the cameras took in an aerial view, the movements looked like flowers and flags and an immense variety of shapes. This could only be seen by being above and looking down.
Back to us as the Church; each member has his place: the Sabbath worshippers, the Sunday worshippers, the everyday worshippers, the in-the-home worshippers, the in-the-temple worshippers, the meat eaters, the vegetarians, the out-of-the-box thinkers, the conservatives, the casual dressers, the formal dressers…”all together now.” Jesus is the maestro and He knows how everyone is to fit in to the bigger picture. He has a pre-determined plan in mind. We are to follow His direction, rather than just do our own thing. The admonition of Paul, here in Romans 14 and 15 is to not judge one another, but rather keep your eyes on Jesus.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Romans 14 and 15; I Corinthians 12:12-27