Brethren,

I trust this meets you well.

Recently, I  attended a conference at a Christian retreat center. During meal times, the caterers would diligently point out those meals which contained pork and those which did not. Often, those believers who have no qualms eating pork will make comments suggesting that they are more mature. 

This kind of attitude towards other believers who don’t share in our dietary preferences, and other such issues is the subject of our Bible study this Sunday. We would be considering this matter under the topic: Bearing with one another. Main Text is Romans 14:1-21. See attached outline for your further reference.

Key Learning points are:

1. 1. The believers’ personal convictions should be rooted in faith and with an eye to honor Christ above all else.

• If the Bible hasn’t outrightly condemned a thing, we should give space to fellow believers whose convictions differ on matters that Scripture does not address plainly. Romans 14:1-4

2. Bear with others, as you would want them and God to bear with you, especially in the matter of personal convictions about secondary matters.

• A matter on which Scripture isn’t crystal clear, we need to let our brothers and sisters exercise liberty in their personal convictions. Romans 14:5-9
• Realize that God won’t be asking you about the opinions and preferences of your brother. He’ll be looking into your account. So, get out of your neighbor’s business and tend to your own. Romans 14:10

3. Bearing with one another means that I should focus on how to help my fellow believers grow in their walk with God rather than looking for faults in my neighbors’ lives. Romans 14:13-19

• I should put my fellow Christian’s wellbeing above my freedom in Christ.
• The mature should relinquish personal freedom for the sake of the weak. Instead, I should demonstrate my maturity in my efforts towards helping my brother grow in His faith.

Come to think of it, we are actually better off looking for ways to help each other grow in faith, rather than bragging about how mature we are.

See you in Church on Sunday.

Compliments of the season.

All this quarter, we have been exploring Love- A more excellent way. THis week, we turn our focus to a real and direct command – Love one another. See attached outline for your reference.

Key learning points include:

1.     Love one another is a command not a suggestion. A distinguishing mark of being a follower of Christ is a deep, sincere love for brothers and sisters in Christ.

2.     In this command to love one another, Jesus Christ did not leave each believer to define what and how to love a fellow believer. He Himself is our template of that love. Believers are commanded to love as Jesus loves – unconditionally, sacrificially, with forgiveness, etc.

3.     Believers can only love as Jesus loves through the instrumentality of God dwelling in us through the Holy Spirit living within us. By obeying the Spirit, through the Word of God, the believer can love like Christ does. 

May the blessings of Christmas be yours in abundance.