01 February 2008 Devotion for Today “Politics and Religion” Romans 14:1-13

01 February 2008 Devotion for Today “Politics and Religion” Romans 14:1-13

I sat at the table with some committee members of a community organization meeting not long ago when someone asked me what I did. “Are you retired from the army?” she asked.
“No,” I said, “I am a civilian.” “Then what do you do?” I told her that I was a pastor of an English-speaking church in the area. I said nothing more, but the conversation abruptly ended when she replied, “Well, I make it a point never to discuss politics or religion!”

It is clear to us that the Apostle Paul makes it a point to discuss both politics and religion in Romans 13 and 14. There certainly is nothing wrong with discussing politics and religion, as we see in the text we looked at today. If we did not discuss matters such as this, no progress would be made to further man’s social and his spiritual well-being. However, it is not the discussion that causes the problems, but how the discussion is made. When I have an attitude that I am right and everyone else is wrong, then there is going to be a problem in my discussion. When I judge someone as being less of a person because his opinion is different than mine, then there will likely be an argument. When I judge someone as less-than-spiritual because he does something that I do not approve, then there will be no positive outcome. When an unChristlike spirit is employed in any discussion, those who claim a Christian testimony will lose even if their wit and eloquence will prevail.

Paul says it is especially pointless to dispute over things that are unclear in the Word of God. “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.” Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:1-4

In reality we have more at stake than the outcome of our petty arguments or being right. The time we take up in such discussions only takes away the time from more vital and eternal concerns. Should we never discuss anything that is controversial? No, there are times when it is right to do so. We must at all times take stands again sin and Satan-indeed we are called to do that every day. But in those discussions we must make it clear that we hate the sin, and not the sinner. And we employ the measure of humility that Christ has given us, not just to “set someone straight” but to realize that we are all growing and learning. If we have a tendency to look down at those who don’t hold to our opinions, remember there are probably others who may feel the same way about us.

The story is told of two great 19th century preachers D.L. Moody and Charles Spurgeon who were spending some time together in England. Moody thought it was terrible that Spurgeon smoked big cigars each time they had a meal together. Spurgeon said that he “Did this to the glory of God!” Moody proceeded to preach at his friend for his excesses. Little wonder that the advice went unheeded, for Moody weighed close to 300 pounds! Have a blessed day!

(from 25 May 1999)