It is easy to love being together when we agree.
But what happens when someone who loves Jesus sees something differently than we do?
That was happening among the believers in Rome.
Some felt strongly that it would be wrong to eat meat that may have been offered to an idol.
Some felt their diet must be kosher to honor God.
Some felt free to eat certain foods, while others believed they should abstain from them.
They also differed over which days to worship God or observing certain days as holy.
Those differences had become reasons to judge one another.
Paul invites them to remember the person on the other side of the disagreement:
someone God has welcomed, someone Jesus loves.
Even when they had freedom to make a particular choice, Paul urged them to consider how it might affect another person’s faith. Would it help them follow Jesus, or pressure them to go against their conscience?
That gives us a loving question to ask: “How can I help this person grow?”
Sometimes that means listening long enough to understand.
Sometimes it means giving someone room to grow without rushing them to see things our way.
Sometimes it means willingly setting aside a freedom because we care about the person beside us.
We can hold our convictions with humility and speak honestly with kindness.
When we disagree, we can still help each other follow Jesus.
Lord Jesus, help me see the person beyond the disagreement. Give me humility to listen, wisdom to speak, and love that makes room for another person to grow. Let my choices bring peace and strengthen someone’s faith today. In Your Powerful Name, Amen.