1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we 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.
10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God.”
12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
Reflection
- In the church community, everyone lives entirely on the forgiveness and grace of God. Therefore, to constantly making comments on what we disapprove of or dislike in one another is outrageous. Criticisms and gossips are detrimental to the church community. Every judgmental word out of our mouths violates an eternal soul for whom Christ died.
- What practices offend you? Which of your own practices might distress or destroy another brother or sister in Christ?
- Ask God for wisdom to know how to respond in areas in which you are causing offense.
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.
If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.
Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible. If your children are younger, you may read vv1-4,9 only.)
When you go visit your friend’s house, do you find some habits or rules you are not familiar with? Do you think your friend would think the same when he/she comes to your home? Talk about different habits and rules in your own family and other families. Discuss how you may respect other people and not criticize or complain about them.
Proverbs for Today 16:26-29
26 A worker’s appetite works for him;
his mouth urges him on.
27 A worthless man plots evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A dishonest man spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor
and leads him in a way that is not good.