Cultural Differences.

Cultural differences. Romans 14:6-13.

He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Romans 14:6-10 (NKJV)

What if you went to a foreign land was asked to sit at a separate table because you were male or female; would that upset you? Cultural differences exist and as Christians we must acknowledge people's differences with leniency. What some may find offensive, in other cultures it is common. Therefore, Paul introduces to the church this doctrine of leniency.

Looking at the surface, we can find many differences in cultural practices; however, no matter the custom, Paul says that we should not judge a brother by their customs in regards to food, and observances towards God. If a person professes Jesus Christ as Lord, then we should support him and never become their judge; for there is only one judge and that is God.

So what if a people have a social practice that is displeasing to God? Paul tells us that there is grace for sin, if committed ignorantly. This leaves us with some very good thinking that we can adapt to the way we live life.

There is one judge and that is Jesus Christ. That is His rightful position and if we were to overstep His judgment, we would be doing what is wrong, for we are not judges.

In addition, our position in Christ is not to be the Lord. He leads us, we follow; we are followers not Lords. If we were to start telling people what they should do then we could overstep our boundaries in this area to.

Keeping within your boundaries is key. If you are a worship leader, you are not qualified to lead the church as the pastor; you are the worship leader. If you are gifted in financial administration, then you should stay in your area of expertise being careful not to cross over into another person's area of ministry. By doing this, we all become harmonious in our service to God; that is if we can keep from being critical about how people conduct their administration of their gifts.

Now people are drawn to criticism like a magnate and when breaching the boundaries of others to offer criticism, you can expect adverse results. From this come fighting, emulations, and wrath.

First thing to remember is, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to convict people of sin. Now should you think that God does not act quick enough to suit your likings, you will soon realize that the Holy Spirit's calling is unique; for to approach another about sin, you may find they are not ready to hear it from you.

When a person that is gifted to do a certain ministry does it, then it adds unity to the body. Yet when people try to do things they are not called to, then we find nothing but trouble, hardship, confusion, and separation.

For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Romans 14:11-12 (NKJV)

How you handle your gifts and relate to the gifts of others is a sign of Christian maturity. When you finally realize that you need a worship leader in your life, a pastor to deliver the word of God, a teacher to teach you the depths of the scriptures, and all the others who God has distributed gifts to, then your life will become better and you will find peace that brings joy.

No person is an Island. God did not intend us to be self sufficient and therefore, we need to bring others into our life. Yet going back to those who do things a bit different than the way we think they should be done, if we act to confront the person we must first be sure God has called us to that and then we must bathe it in prayer.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)

Paul told Timothy to use scripture to teach, reprove, and correct people. In Timothy's church, it was needed and that was Timothy's ministry to the church. Now if we are to apply this verse, we must first understand if this is what God has called us to do; for Paul also wrote, There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 1 Corinthians 12:4-8 (NKJV)

If you are to reprove or convict, then your ministry is specific that not all have been called to and the fruit you bare will prove your gift.

Returning back to Paul's intended subject, people had become very critical of the Gentile Christians and the Gentile Christians had become critical of the Jewish Christians. There were debates that led to arguments and divisions, splitting the church into factions. Paul only wanted to see it all come together.

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way. Romans 14:13 (NKJV)

This seems to be very good advice to be practiced in the church today. If we would lay down our differences that exist between denominations, cognations, age, race, and culture, then the church could be the force God intended for it.

Here is a measuring stick that we can apply to our effectiveness; it is simple, but it is true. If God took twelve men and rocked the world creating the Christian Church, how much more effective should the church be with millions of men of today? Now ask yourself, what's getting in the way?