What Does Romans 14 Say About Receiving Other Believers & Why Does It Matter?
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The Lord wants a Body, but it's not so easy to get because we all have a fallen nature that's divisive. In Romans 12 Paul shares about the Body, and in Romans 14 we see how it's worked out. In chapter 38 of the Life- Study of Romans Witness Lee covers a very critical matter in relation to this Body and that's about how we receive our fellow believers in Christ:
All genuine believers are the Lord's. All have been born of the same Lord regardless of the way in which they have been baptized, of the food they eat, or the days they observe. Verses 6 through 9 show us what is important and what is not important. As long as a person belongs to the Lord and lives to Him, he is all right...If on the other hand, we argue about the doctrine, we shall soon be divided according to our various concepts. We must care for the important things as God the Father has received us all, and as long as we believe in the Lord and live to Him, we should receive one another(Lee, Witness. Life Study of Romans. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1975, Print).
He mentions that it's clear in the New Testament that things that aren't items of the faith (Ephesians 4:4-6) God leaves up to us.
You can listen to live portions of Witness Lee's sharing on the Life Study of Romans with helpful commentary on the Life Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.
Other Blogs on the Life Studies of Romans:
Why is Romans Called the Gospel of God?
What's the Connection Between Romans 4 and God's Calling of Abraham?
What is Sanctification in the Book of Romans?
Have You seen the Gospel in Romans 8:3?
Seeing God's Sovereignty in Romans 8:28
What Was Man Created For in Romans 9:21?
What is the Focus of Romans 12?
What Does Romans 14 Say About Receiving Believers & Why Does It Matter?
Have You Seen the Practical Church Life in Romans 16?
What are the Three Laws in Romans 7 & 8 All About?
What Does Being Saved in Life Mean in Romans 5:10?
How Do Carnations Illustrate a Believer's Glorification in Romans 8:30?
Why is God's Righteousness the Power of the Gospel in Romans 1:16-17?
From the Life Study of Roman - Why is God Triune?
Hi Jackie, I read Chapter 49 today and this is what I got out of it. It's still very little, but I am just so happy I could even understand this much! I need to practice more and more. I would love to read with you sometime!
ReplyDeleteWe are fallen sinners. We cannot help we sin. It's the Satan's evilness controlling your friend to sin against you. It's the Satan putting thoughts in her mind. It's not her human nature. It's the flesh. The only way we can forgive is to be in the Spirit."
So many times we get hurt by other members of the Body or from the ones not saved yet, feeling judged, mistreated, disrespected and unloved. However, so many other times, we become the ones to offend. A lot of times, we don't even realize we are offending them or hurt them. This is when the 'Defense' button in our brain gets activated unconsciously. This way, we would be armed and prepared not to get cut off guard. Instead, we often attack them first in order to protect us.
Sometimes, actually, quite often we try to forgive the ones who sinned against us and even convince ourselves that we have. Generally what happens is that we can't get over the reality of the fact what had happened. We might have forgiven them but we still hold a grudge and don't forget.
How about think from a different angle? After all, we are brothers and sisters in the Body of the Christ. We are the brides, the church, golds-silvers-precious stones, and the building. This is for the Lord to come back! God wants us to flock together, not be separated. God cannot move on earth freely if we are not mature enough and if we are not one in the Lord's movement.
So, you cannot really get away from her or him! Yes, right! You just have to love them. Like God loves us unconditionally.
Abba Father loves us so much. It's marvelous. His love, blood and resurrection saved us all. How much do you have to love someone to die for and to come back? We have offended Him, distrusted Him, and even crucified Him on the cross. Nonetheless, He came back for us! Who could do this except Jesus Christ, our loving Father! Would there even be a time that I could just love brothers and sisters unconditionally? Even for all those times I feel mistreated, offended, and hurt? Probably not, since I am just a sinful human. BUT, there is one mean we can be closer. The only way we can do this is to trust the Lord and live His life. Remember that He made us after His likeness and image. Just give your whole heart and being to the Lord! As long as we are one with the Lord in His Spirit and Body, NOTHING can destroy us!
Amen!
"Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, And do not rely on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear Jehovah, and depart from evil.
It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8)"
Praise the Lord,
Emma K
Emma I appreciate your insight on this passage. I can tell the Lord is making the receiving of the believers very real to you. May He continue to enlighten and encourage you to receive other believers in the same way that He has received you.
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