Chaplain’s Message

Romans 14:1, “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.” 13, “therefore let us not pass judgement on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother,” 19, “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”

Mart Dehaan remembers his father talk about how difficult it was to walk away from unending arguments over differing interpretations of the Bible.  By contrast, he recalled it was when both sides agreed to disagree.

But is it really possible to set aside irreconcilable difference when so much seem to be at stake?

That’s one of the questions the Apostle Paul answers in is New Testament letter to the Romans.  Writing to readers caught in social, political, and religious conflict, he suggests ways of finding common ground even under the most polarized conditions.

Paul says, the way to agree to disagree is to recall that each of us will answer to the Lord, not only for our opinions, but also for how we treat one another in our differences.

Conditions of conflict can actually become occasions to remember that there are some things more important than our own ideas.  All of us will answer for whether we have loved one another, and even our enemies as, Christ loved us.

Maybe it is good for us to remember that, instead of conflict, we can show mutual love and respect by agreeing to disagree.

Heavenly Father, please enable us to be patient and kind with those who don’t agree with us about anything or everything.  For Jesus’ sake.  Amen.

God bless.