A Matter of Peace – Henry Abrahams
When going about your business in Fall 2021 you see signs or placards that recommend or mandate patrons to “Mask Up.” Others might say something like this, “Fully vaccinated patrons can enter without a mask.” This sort of division within a culture is not new to the Church.
In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he is addressing cultural divisions among Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus Christ. Here is a quick view of what Paul most likely had in mind.
- Jewish followers’ observance of the law would set them apart from the surrounding Roman gentiles.
- Gentiles would look down on Jews for this observance. For example. If a Gentile believer would prepare meat for his local church gathering and the meat would not be properly strangled, the Jewish follower would abstain from the meal. (Rom. 14:3)
- Jewish followers of Jesus would observe the sabbath (Gen 2:2-3) and Roman gentile followers would probably view their Jewish brethren as lazy for taking a day off (Rom. 14:5-6).
With this in mind, we need to heed what Paul is teaching here, “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. 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.” (Rom. 14:5b-6).
Using the principle that is extracted here, we as modern believers should be convinced in our mind that what we are doing “mask” or “no mask”, “vaccinated” or “not vaccinated” is done in honor of the Lord.
The rest of Romans Fourteen deals with how we should not make another believer stumble in the way they believe they are honoring the Lord. “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.” (Rom. 14:13). You already know what this looks like in your life. Once you acknowledge it, repent and move forward with Jesus.
As we conclude this blog I want to encourage you to read through the whole of Romans Fourteen. Paul’s concluding words should adjust your view on how you handle our “cultural divisions.”
“The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” (Rom. 14:22b-23).
“Paul’s point is that one should not wound the faith of those avoiding what they think could be wrong; ideally, however, one should discern what is right.” – Craig Keener
Who Are You Discipling? – Henry Abrahams
Barnabas is the person responsible for the Jerusalem Church’s acceptance of Saul (Acts 9:27). Barnabas saw the call of God on Saul’s life and he saw the faith Saul had to live it out. Barnabas does not forget about this young man, Saul, as he is called to spearhead the church in the area of Antioch. Now for the story.
We pick the story up where persecuted believers end up in Antioch, most likely from the hands of Saul, hence the mention of Stephen’s martyrdom. The grace of God had manifested, and many believed. The church in Jerusalem heard about this and sent Barnabas to spearhead the movement in that area. He saw what God had done there and realized he needed some assistance in equipping and teaching the church. This is where we will read the scriptures to see what he did and what we can learn from his actions. Below is an excerpt from Acts 11:25-26 ESV. (NOTE the italicized font is my emphasis)
25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
Barnabas’s actions teach us a simple method of discipleship. Though the word “discipleship” is not mentioned, it is implied from the text. We see that Barnabas brought Saul in to help with the movement in Antioch. Here are the four steps that Barnabas went through to bring his disciple, Saul into service.
Go – Barnabas went. Where are you going? Work? School? Family Event? Church?
Look – Barnabas looked for Saul. Who is your Saul? Know who are you looking for. This requires intentionality.
Find – Barnabas found Saul. Now you know where and who you are looking for, get in touch with them.
Bring – Barnabas brought Saul. This requires both you and your disciple to be aware and in agreement about how you are approach whatever God is calling both of you into.
As our church is growing in evangelism efforts, ask yourself who are you discipling? If no one comes to mind, pray, and follow the steps that Barnabas laid out for us.
James’ message is relevant now: Actionable Faith
Actionable faith that produces steadfastness should mark all believers. Faith in word, is not a saving faith. Faith that is active is saving faith. I will list a handful of thoughts that come to mind while reading and address what seems to be the most general issue.
Multiple issues with his audience (Do any of these remind you of yourself?):
- They have trials and are being discouraged and doubting.
- They have dead faith.
- They are too proud.
- They have more faith in their material riches then Jesus.
- They show preference to people who seem to be more put together, over the people whom God decrees to take care of who seem burdensome.
“Genuine trust involves not merely the mind but the whole person. Paul and James agree that authentic trust in Christ results in good works.”[1] This genuine trust seems to counter the dead faith that James is dealing with.
Their faith they have in their own means, is being displayed in the way they are treating the people who come into the church with fancy apparel. They like to see people who look like them. It’s comfortable for them. They do not like seeing the other lowly people coming in. James is addressing how they have received a law of liberty that calls them into action. The action is the product of their faith. The following passage expresses this:
“So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls. But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves. For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone who gazes at his own face in a mirror. For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets what sort of person he was. But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out – he will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:21-25 NET)[2]
They likely received Paul’s teaching of justification by faith and became comfortable with it and tossed out the actions of faith which prove they are who they are in Christ.
James is encouraging them to ask God for wisdom if anyone of them lacks it. This shows their need for Gods clarity and direction on how to make it through their trials. This could be also connected to how they have not been walking their faith out, but simply just trusting in their own abilities, instead of Gods abilities to work through their lives (the works) that prove they are Christians. God will bless those who have this actionable faith. He gives a grace to help them in their time of need. Their faith will mature in the working out of the actions that god commands them to.
To sum it all up, this faith is to produce action. James says “So whoever knows what is good to do and does not do it is guilty of sin.”(James 4:17 NET) This warning should be sufficient in how we respond to what God is wanting to do in and through our lives.
[1] Walter A. Elwell and Robert Yarbrough, Encountering the New Testament, 336.
[2] Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New English Translation.