Real Perspective

Read Romans 14:10-19 

I’ve always been fascinated by those ambiguous pictures that can be viewed multiple ways (the effect is called the Gestalt Switch). The first one I remember seeing is the drawing of the young women wearing a feathered hat that can also be seen as an old women wearing a kerchief.  

I’ve seen dozens of these through the years. Is it a rabbit or a duck? Is it two men facing each other or is it a vase (Rubin’s Vase)? One drawing that can be viewed multiple ways. Perspective changes what you see.

That’s the context for our text today. In Romans 14 Paul is dealing with an argument that developed in the early church that was centered on the perspective two groups of people brought to issues like “food” or “holy days.” (Feel free to replace those topics with “masks” or “politics” or…whatever helps you get the idea) One group thought they were more spiritually mature than the other based on their approach to those issues, and in doing so, they missed the opportunity to show love towards each other in a self-sacrificial way.  

To be a community truly centered on Christ means we will bump up against people that think differently than we do, that have been shaped by different experiences and relationships. Ultimately, Paul reminds us we will all kneel before Christ and give an account of our lives to God (vss 11-12). And he makes it clear that what matters most in that moment is the righteousness, peace and joy we demonstrate as part of God’s kingdom. Let’s “make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (v.19).

FOR REFLECTION:

• What reasoning does Paul give us for not judging our brothers or sisters?
• What does verse 15 say is the consequence of causing a brother or sister to stumble? (see also vs. 20).
• Do you think it matters if you are the “weaker brother” or “the stronger brother” in any given situation? If not, what does that say about what really does matter?  

by Jim Caler