Thankful or Critical?

Posted on Nov 23, 2020 in Devotions |

Text: Romans 14:1-23

“He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks,” (Rom 14:6).

Introduction: Have you ever heard a CHRISTian brother or sister criticize one another? Can you see them…. FINGER POINTING? Evidently, this was what was happening in the Church of Rome. This Church was founded after the day of Pentecost and consisted of both Jews and Gentiles. Apparently, there were some “weaker” CHRISTians in the Church. Eating and refraining from “certain foods” and recognizing “certain days” became controversial issues and even turned into stumbling blocks for some. Paul addresses these things and instructs both them and us by the Spirit of God on how to deal with these issues. We can conclude that there are three (3) ways to tell if we are “THANKFUL” CHRISTians instead of being “CRITICAL” CHRISTians.

1. A “THANKFUL CHRISTian” does not point his or her finger and accuse a brother or sister! (Rom 14:1-7)

“1Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.”

Personal Application: Someone has well said, “It doesn’t take much SIZE to CRITICIZE.” It seems that we look at others through a microscope but at our own selves through a telescope. The key is to look to JESUS (Heb 12:1-3). Are you doing that right now…even while reading this devotion?

2. A “THANKFUL CHRISTian” does point to being accountable to Jesus Christ at His JUDGEMENT SEAT! (Rom 14:7-12)

“7For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. 9For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”

Personal Application: The bottom line is that we will only answer for ourselves. One preacher put it this way: Remember when you point your finger at someone there are 4 more fingers pointing by back you!

3. A “THANKFUL CHRISTian” is always aware of not being a STUMBLING BLOCK but a STEPPING STONE! (Rom 14:13-23)

“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way….. 21It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. “

Personal Application: The sooner we realize that other CHRISTians are watching us, the better off we will be. Either we become STEPPING STONES or STUMBLING BLOCKS.

Conclusion: Will you ask the question, am I a STEPPING STONE or a STUMBLING BLOCK to my fellow believers? What do I need to confess to the Lord for cleansing? Where do I need to be more cautious because others are observing me?

How we talk
Where we go
Who we hang around
How we act
What we do and don’t do
How we treat people (Walmart, Ingles, Larry’s, Church, School, Home)

Let’s purpose in our heart to honor the Lord Jesus with our walk & talk; more specifically, how we treat others…..and be known as a “THANKFUL CHRISTian”!

Love y’all,

Dr. Randy Reese