February 14, 2019 -- Romans 14:18-19 -- Uninstalling 'buttons'

Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Romans 14:18-19 ESV

My wife and I were watching a mystery. The main character, a troubled man with a very difficult family life, periodically narrates background information. One sequence of narration stayed with me: “Family can really push your buttons. And you wonder, ‘why is that?’ Because they are the ones that installed those buttons.” It is painfully funny. Only those who really know you well can really wound deeply and at will.

Paul was writing the church in Rome. He was encouraging believers, whom he called family by the accomplished work of Jesus, to bear with one another. Some are weaker in faith, some are stronger in their faith; rather than having the stronger ones treat the weaker brothers disdainfully, he was calling on them to live at peace in Christ.

In Christ Jesus we have had our sins washed away. In Christ Jesus people who are very different from one another are brought together as brothers and sisters. Look, in Rome the congregation was comprised of former slaves and the slave owning class. Some were Jews and others the very people the Jews formerly thought were unclean: the Gentiles (non-Jews). All kinds of potential for pushing of buttons and divisions. What brings them together? It is not what, but Whom. In Jesus Christ these divisions of hostility are overcome and He makes them to be brothers and sisters who can live together in peace.

Christ gives us His Spirit and His Word so that believers have the strength we need and the guidance we need to truly live in the peace He has given us. The most powerful tool in the Christian’s kit is forgiveness. As we are forgiven in Christ so we are empowered to forgive. It is costly. It is difficult. But forgiveness is the pathway of peace in the household of God. Where conflicts and disagreements arise, it is possible for peace to be restored as the brothers and sisters turn to Jesus Christ—Him Who is our peace.

Father in heaven, how it must grieve Your heart to see Your beloved sons and daughters in conflict. Thank You for the way of peace You have given us in Jesus Christ. Thank You for that fact that in Jesus’ Name You no longer hold our sins against us—what glorious grace. In view of this, help us as members of the household of God, so far as it depends on us to make every effort to live in peace. There are long-standing wounds and conflicts among some of our family members, and You have promised, O God, that You are the Healer. We beg of You, for the honour of Your Name, bring the healing which only You can effect in Jesus’ Name and for His sake. Amen.