Useful Bible Studies > Romans Commentary > chapter 14
Some people think that Christians should agree about everything. That was not Paul’s opinion. He understood that God has made each person differently (12:4-6). Christians have had different experiences in life. They may be from different nations. They have learnt from different teachers and they have understood different things. No person’s knowledge about anything is complete or perfect. So of course even the most sincere Christians will sometimes disagree.
For that reason, Christians should learn to have the right attitudes towards those people with whom they disagree. Perhaps they disagree with another Christian about a matter which is especially important. Even in such a situation, they must not allow the matter to become an excuse for hate or for bitter feelings. They must respect and love that other Christian as their brother or sister in God’s family (1 John 3:10-16). If God has accepted that person, they too should accept him or her.
That other person clearly has very strong reasons for his opinion about the matter. He truly believes that in this matter, he is obeying God. So it may not seem strong enough for him merely to disagree with Christians who oppose him. Rather, he would like to express God’s anger or to declare God’s judgement against Christians who believe that wrong idea. However, he must not do that (Matthew 7:1-2). Christians do sometimes believe wrong and foolish things; but God deals with them as their loving Father (Hebrews 12:5-11).
Therefore, Christians who disagree must always deal with each other in a gentle, kind and patient manner.
Next part: Christians are the servants of God (Romans 14:4)
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