When I chose Romans 14:13 as this week’s verse, I really thought I was letting myself off easy. After all, it’s a pretty straight forward verse that we should all be following, right? “Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.” The more thought I gave to the verse, however, the more I wished I hadn’t chosen it. Why? Because it reminds me of how imperfect I am! It is so easy to pass judgement on another person. Especially one we don’t know well, is new to the group or different in any way. Before we have even gotten to know the person we have decided if they don’t do it our way we’ll have to set them straight. Imagine how scary that is for the other person who is new. Imposing our opinions and judgement in the hopes of “correcting” them, could be just the thing that turns them away! And what an opportunity we would miss out on by learning from that person, for we all bring our own uniqueness with us wherever we go.
One thing I love to do when trying to understand what God is trying to tell me through scripture is read the same verse in different translations. For example, this week’s verse as quoted above in the first paragraph, was translated from the NIV (New International Version). The KJV (King James Version) translates the verse this way: “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” The Message says “Forget about deciding what’s right for each other. Here’s what you need to be concerned about: that you don’t get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is.” And lastly I’ll give you the same verse from the Good News Bible (the actual Bible my mother gave me in 1976! It’s falling apart but I love it!) “So then, let us stop judging one another. Instead you should decide never to do anything that would make your brother stumble or fall into sin”. Why am I giving you all these different versions of the same verse? Well, I think it highlights the message of the verse! Each verse says the same thing, just a bit differently and that’s okay. At my Women’s Bible Study, we take turns reading scripture. I think we all have different Bibles. Reading and listening to the different translations enhances the discussion rather than hinder it! There are many Bible translations and God isn’t concerned with which translation we are reading. He is concerned, however, that we are reading, learning, and growing in our faith. Don’t let the thought of the “right way” be a hindrance.
In order to better understand the context from which this verse came, I also read the entire chapter. Yes, different translations but I’ll only use the NIV for now. Roman 14:1 says “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgement on disputable matters.” Specifically, the author of this chapter, Paul, is talking to Christians about their judgement of people new to the Christian faith and about differences amongst them(some Christians thought they should or should not eat certain foods, celebrate the Sabbath on different days, etc.) He was telling the more experienced Christians to welcome new people into the faith, but don’t make their own opinions about the way things should be done more important than they should be. Years ago, when I first started to attend church as an adult, with my own family, I remember clapping after the choir sang. I couldn’t help it. It was so lovely and clearly a sincere moment of worship from the choir, I clapped. Yes, I was clapping for the choir, but also for God who had gifted them with such beautiful voices for which I was grateful. Of course, it only took a second for me to realize I was the only one clapping. It was very embarrassing. After the service, an older gentleman approached me and explained it wasn’t right to clap after the choir sang because it was worshipping the choir, not God. Now, I know he had every good intention. I was new and he was right to help me understand the type of church I was becoming a part of. But, did I really do something wrong? In the moment it felt like I did, and what if that kept me from going back? At this point, I don’t believe it was wrong. I believe that as long as my intentions are pure and kind, and I am not hurting anyone, the way I worship is not wrong. God knows how the clapping was intended. Happily, today, many of us clap after the choir sings. And many don’t. And that is ok. We all have a unique personality given to us by God. I can’t imagine that with all of our uniqueness He would expect us to worship the same.
Recently, someone gave me a can of sardines. I don’t know what to do with them. I would at least like to try them. Then I can decide if I like them. Since I belong to a Facebook “dinner” group that shares recipes I thought I would throw the question out there. “What should I do with this can of sardines?” There were a lot of comments. Some were useful, most were not. The majority of people do not think highly of canned sardines! I thanked those who responded sincerely and ignored those who told me to throw them in the trash or put up the emoji of a vomiting smiley face. I was looking for real ideas! So, what’s the point? Just like I am new to this sardine world, there are many believers new to God’s world. I am not going to let those who detest sardines to turn me against them. Instead, I am going to look towards those who encourage me to try them and hope I will enjoy them (I hear they are good on buttered crackers. We shall see…).
For next week I’m choosing John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of my life.”
Love, Melissa
Melissa Pillone Speaks 
Just read this: nice post. I also know what we’re having for dinner tonight: they’re good!!
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