Romans 14:3 (NLT)

“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.”

We are often quick to condemn and judge others who are different from us, and this is wrong. Even among close family members, we will be different. Difference is the way of life, and we need to learn to embrace difference. Looking down on others because their beliefs or convictions are different is not love. Love accommodates. Even if love passionately disagrees with your opinion, love will not talk down or look down on you.

It’s sad that there is so much mud slinging between brethren and between churches, because we don’t believe the same things. We cannot all believe the same things. We have to accept that we are made different and our journeys are different, and convictions developed over time do not change easily. We are called to love one another and not judge one another. We can instruct others according to our spiritual persuasions but where the other party chooses to differ, let’s accept them as they are. If God has accepted them, why mustn’t we? Or are we greater than God?

“Lord, give me Your type of heart that’s large and accommodating. Help me love and accept those who significantly differ from my spiritual pattern. I will love and accept them because You loved and accepted them first. In Jesus name. Amen.”