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. - Romans 14:13 (ESV)

One of the persistent problems in church is self-righteousness. We easily recognize that in the New Testament. The Pharisees are the easily despised villains of the gospels. They go around spending time looking religious and looking down on those that don't, but they are driven by position, power, and pride.

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. - Acts 2:44 –47 (ESV)

There are some amazing pictures for what God does when He saves us. He redeems us. He frees us. He rescues us. He pays our debt. He adopts us. The first few lets us see what God has done for us and between Him and us. However, that final one adds another dimension. We are called, not only to Him, but also into a family. We (together) are His kids.

Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him. - Job 13:15-16 (ESV)

So today is Friday the 13th. It's the day that no one is supposed to feel lucky. Fortunately, for you our family celebrated it a week early, so none of you have anything to worry about. It's been quite a week around here...

Seriously if we believe God, we know that He is the one who rules over everything including both the universal story and our personal one. In the trenches of life, that is often hard to see and harder to understand. Awful things happen to us. Evil things are done. Life falls apart. Permanent damage is done. How do we try to understand this? What do we do when the pieces of life don't fit?

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. - Romans 14:1 –3 (ESV)

For what was supposed to be a group founded on love and should be characterized by unity, we seem to be highly skilled at dividing. We seem to do it over a lot of things. We group together with other Christians that think like we do, school like we do, vote like we do, do culture like we do, eat and drink like we do. And on and on and on goes the list. Honestly, sometimes I look around at the greater church and think God has to be in this somewhere because only He could possibly hold this thing together, and only He could make it even close to fulfilling its mission.

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. - Romans 14:22-23 (ESV)

In the classic Disney movie, on his journey to become a real boy, Pinocchio is given a guide and friend Jiminy Cricket, who is to be his living conscience. This little creature is there throughout the move to advise, direct, and warn. At various times he is heeded and ignored. In the end, we are left with the classic phrase, 'Let your conscience be your guide.' But is that good advice? Should we be listening to our conscience? Will it every steer you wrong? What happens if we consistently ignore it? Or what happens if it constantly makes us feel guilty?

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:1 –2 (ESV)

Last week we spent time on the ground floor of the 'Gospel Museum' checking out the beauty and truths of the beginning of Romans. We looked at 5 important words - Guilty, Representation, Justification, Faith, and Assurance. These words helped us explore the truth that God has 'justly justified the unjust'. What amazing grace!