Romans: A 30 Day VisitSample

Paul, in the midst of his practical advice, pauses to discuss what he calls "disputable matters". In our culture today, this is rarely spoken about. Church as well as secular culture, can be divided over everything, as if every decision and direction is a crucial matter.

Paul gives the examples of what food we eat, and what days we have our celebrations, as situations that are disputable- or that people could, and often do, come to different conclusions about what is best. One person believes "no meat", another is a "meat lover", but both answer to the Lord ultimately.

And we, His followers, should allow those freedoms and not condemn others in disputable areas.

Knowing that we all will answer to the Lord one day for all we do and say, how does this allow me to give my brother or sister freedom in their decisions?

The sticking point is often in deciding what exactly is a "disputable matter."?

In another one of his letters, Paul says, "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures."

These are not "disputable matters"- these are matters of "first importance": Christ actually died to pay the penalty for our sins. Christ was physically buried and then physically rose to life again days later.

Where do you see, in your own sphere, brothers and sisters divided over what you see as a "disputable matter"?

Are there ways that you see brothers and sisters treated with contempt over a disputable decision?

How can you, remembering Paul's earlier command to seek peace as much as it is within your power, be someone who promotes reconciliation and understanding instead of division and judgment?