Tuesday, February 25, 2025  

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Today's Scripture
Romans 14:13–23

Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. If your brother or sister is being injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died. So do not let your good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for you to make others fall by what you eat; it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble. 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. But those who have doubts are condemned if they eat, because they do not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. (NRSV)

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Reflection

There’s no denying it: I love to be right. The satisfaction of a well-argued point, the thrill of a debate won, the belief that clarity and conviction are the highest virtues. I’ve followed the news with eagerness, feeling the rush of victory when my “side” wins and the sting of frustration when it doesn’t. I’ve stood firm in my beliefs, convinced that if others just saw things the way I did, they’d understand how wrong they were. But the more I’ve held onto being right, the more I’ve seen relationships fray, conversations harden, and divisions deepen. And what’s worse, I start to lose sight of the other person’s humanity, seeing only their position instead of their heart. Can you relate?

This kind of division is everywhere: our communities, our families, and even our churches. Too often our places of worship reflect the same fractures as the culture around us. We draw lines over theology or politics, convinced that our church would be stronger if only everyone thought the same way. But Paul reminds us that the strength of the church is not in our sameness but in our shared love.

Paul writes to a church divided — not by hostility, but by conviction. Some held fast to tradition; others embraced new freedom. But Paul does not urge them to conform to one another’s views. Instead he calls them to a higher standard: love is more important than liberty.

A church of like-minded people is fragile, easily shaken when differences arise. But a church bound together by love is unshakable. It shows the world that unity isn’t found in erasing differences but in elevating love.

What if, instead of proving ourselves right, we worked harder at proving our love? What if our greatest concern wasn’t defending our positions but defending our relationships? A church that values love above uniformity isn’t weaker — it’s stronger. Love is what holds us together when opinions and politics try to pull us apart.

This kind of love takes practice. It requires listening, making space for perspectives that challenge us, and choosing relationships over rivalry. It doesn’t mean ignoring truth or abandoning conviction, but it does mean refusing to let disagreement drown out grace.

A divided world doesn’t need a divided church. It needs a people willing to love beyond differences. Love is what makes the church unshakable.

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Prayer
Holy God, teach us to love one another more than our own opinions. Help us to be a church that values unity over uniformity, and love over liberty. Bind us together in a shared purpose, that we may stand as one. Amen.

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Written by Shawn Fiedler, Major Gift Officer

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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