Giving Up Our Seat On The Jury
By: Kristen L. McNulty
Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.
As COVID-19 is a global pandemic, we all have had to deal with the downfalls that have come during this time in our history. There are the expected fallouts, like the toll it has taken on our economy. The pressure it has put on our health care systems. The number of people who are sick or who have died.
But then there is an unexpected fallout and that is what COVID-19 is doing to relationships. I'm not talking about the virus itself or how it's kept us away from those we love. I am talking about our opinions about it and how our opinions are putting fractures in friendships, communities, workplaces, even in the church.
It Shouldn't Be A Problem
It seems like very few of us agree 100% on all of the issues surrounding the virus. Some think our governments are overreaching and doing too much to stop the spread, others believe our governments aren't doing enough. Some believe it's a travesty to not meet in person on Sunday's for church, others believe online is the way to go for now in light of the circumstances. Some believe the vaccine is a wonderful thing, others view it suspiciously. We don't all agree and while that shouldn't be a problem, it has become one.
Somehow we are okay with the difference of opinion of those around us when it comes to how to raise kids or what sports team is the best or favourite foods or how we worship or even how we spend our time and money. We have a history of being loving and gracious when dealing with a difference of opinion on most subjects, except it seems COVID. We don't have to look too far to see the fallout that is happening as we are facing off against anyone who thinks differently about it than we do. Personally, I've seen arguments break out in families. I've witnessed church members fighting about which way is right. And let's not even talk about the carnage on social media right now.
Changing How We Respond
While we can't stop the divisions happening all around us, you and I have the opportunity to change how we respond to them. Let's face it, when it comes to COVID, there is no how-to in the Bible. We don't find in the Bible step-by-step instructions on how to be the church or live our lives in the midst of a pandemic. So what are we supposed to do with situations that are not biblically clear one way or another? The book of Romans has the answer.
In Romans chapter 14, this very issue is addressed. The chapter opens with a call for us to:
"Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don't argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it's all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don't. And those who don't eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them." Romans 14:1-3
The author here isn't talking about black and white issues like does God exist? Or should we be baptized? He's talking about differences of beliefs and opinions when it comes to the gray areas.
We Aren't Called To Be On His Jury
These verses clearly tell us what we should be doing and what we shouldn't be doing. We shouldn't argue with others about what they believe is right or wrong, instead we should accept them. Applied today, that might mean not debating with someone who wears a mask or someone who does not wear one. Or might mean listening to someone who believes the church must meet in person on Sunday and not casting them aside because your opinions don't match. The situations will change, but our response should not. We are not called to be on God's debate team and we aren't called to be on God's jury. He alone knows what's inside of all of our hearts and minds and He alone is the judge. As we read on a little further in the chapter:
"So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, 'As surely as I live,' says the LORD, 'every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God. ' Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall." Romans 14:10-13
So will you join me in giving up your seat on the jury? Can we as brothers and sisters in Christ recognize that we need to do a lot less arguing and judging and a lot more accepting and loving one another?
We're All In Equal Standing
We aren't always going to agree, but that is a part of being a member of the family of God. We aren't carbon copies, instead God has made us each uniquely and He has placed each one of us in the family for a reason. No one members voice matters more than another. We are all members of His family in equal standing. That said, isn't it time we put aside the arguing and instead embraced loving and accepting one another? I for one think it is.
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