And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2
Do you struggle with the gray areas of life? What are some gray areas that come to your mind?
Read Romans 14
Here area few areas where Christians can clash. Whether or not traditional or contemporary music styles during worship services are appropriate. Whether or not, the frequency and method of communion are celebrated. Whether or not speaking in tongues is still a spiritual gift given today. Whether or not it is okay to drink alcohol. Yes! These are controversial topics. We need to take these to pray and seek God for answers. There are areas that are not gray. We never compromise when it comes to the gospel.
Paul offers us some practical advice on how to handle our differing opinions on the gray areas of life. First, He says that we need to accept one another and not argue with each other. It doesn’t mean that we can’t speak our views, however, we need to use maturity in wisdom as we share, discuss, and listen to one another. When we know we are on the verge of arguing we need to stop and agree to disagree and move on. Now it becomes God’s place to speak on what He says is right. Here is where we apply grace. Grace is messier then law. Grace is where we accept each other even when we think we are right and they are wrong. Grace allows us to live in the tension of opposing ideas while genuinely accepting and loving others. Is God speaking to you about someone that you need to accept right now?
We worship alongside each other. We have different backgrounds, education, experiences, and tragedies. Our choices can affect others. While we all are prayerfully evaluated and choose in our freedoms, it’s possible we might all be honoring God while making opposite choices. God leads us to each where he wants us to be. We assume that our way is the right way for everyone. This leads us to criticize or judge others. If we go in one direction we are permissive, if we go the other way we are legalistic. Although God, asks us to look outside the box and see others the way he sees them.
We can be Christians who speak healing words, bring clarity between absolutes and the gray areas, and refuse to gossip. We are in our own sanctification process. The Holy Spirit is leading each of us as we are willing to let him lead us. He is in control, not us. All that is required of us is to love each other deeply. When the Holy Spirit is convicting us of sin in our life, it may be different for someone else. All we have to do is offer grace in the messiness of life. We leave the rest to God.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that as we study your word, that we will listen to your voice. That we will offer grace to others and see them how you see them. I pray that we will learn to love the way you do and not be critical and judgy.
In Jesus Name
Amen
