From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 5:55 AM

Subject: 9-16-24 THOUGHTS

9-16-24   THOUGHTS

We will soon cover this area in the Sunday AM auditorium class.  Our differences in “opinion areas”  is the topic of Romans 14.  Eph 5:21  and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.  Jude 1:3b  tells us to “ contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.”  Sometimes we must stand, sometimes we must accept and submit, ALWAYS WE MUST LOVE!  Lord help us to know “the when and what” of the issues!  Rom 14:15 sets a parameter we must never violate!  “For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.”  The thoughts in Romans 14 are difficult for us.  Behavior is covered, our “mindset” towards others is behind it all, and our ability and willingness to apply love rather than logic is surely here!  
Throughout the Nation, we did not use this chapter well during the Covid period.   If “Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind,” is applied only to self, we miss the point.
The whole chapter is needed.  

Rom 14:1-9     Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.  2  One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3  The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. 4  Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5  One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6  He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.  7  For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8  for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9  For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

My Prayer:
Father, accept our praise and lifting up of Your great name.  We love You because You have first loved us.  Thank You, Lord God.  Teach us to consider one another in love at all times and in all things.  May our minds and hearts think love first and always.  May we seek Your love for our minds always.  O Lord, may our diligent seeking bring us forth as true loving children.  May we promote peace rather than agitation.  May we always consider carefully, the soul for whom Christ died.        In the Name of the One who saves us,    Amen.