“…So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

Romans 14:1-12 (NASB)

This Romans passage is an encouragement to me as I navigate the various positions, which people in my life hold.  There are those who have told me of friendships ended because of who they voted for, over whether or not they got the vaccine, whether or not their church continued to meet in person during the shutdown, etc.  The stories have saddened me.

As I have reflected on the situations, the thought that we seek unity in Christ while honoring our freedoms in Christ is what is resonating in my heart.  I believe this is part of Paul’s teaching in Romans 14.  (I say part because there is always layers to truth in God’s word.)  As God usually does, He connected this thought with my readings in Scripture.  I just finished reading Ezra and Derek W. H. Thomas, author of “Ezra and Nehemiah,” wrote,

“It is possible for two equally godly believers to seek God’s guidance to similar circumstances and come to different conclusions.  Ezra called for a period of prayer and fasting in which he implored the Lord about the journey ahead (Ezra 8:21, 23).  Nehemiah’s prayer, though brief and personal, is equally a prelude to a request for military help (Neh. 2:4, 8-9).  Christians frequently differ on important issues.  It is a mark of Christian civility to show understanding and tolerance when such differences surface over issues that are not threatening to the core of the faith,” page 155.

Instead of using the word “civility, I use the word unity.  As a background for his words, Ezra had refused military escort because he had said that God would protect them.  Nehemiah accepted military help.  Often, we take sides as to whether Ezra or Nehemiah was right.  There are no sides to take.  Both men were trusting God for the journey.  It was at great risk that Nehemiah asked to go to Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:1-4).  The king sent Ezra (Ezra 7:14).

It is my desire to honor each person’s freedom to decide in Christ while pursuing unity with him or her.  I do not always agree with the decisions my sisters and brothers in Christ make (nor do they agree will all of mine), but I hope to seek to support and encourage them as they follow the Lord.  Can we seek unity in Christ, while honoring each person’s freedom in Christ?  I hope so.

As a disclaimer, I am not addressing specific sins identified in Scripture nor deviation from the basic doctrines of the faith.  That would be a different discussion.  This is about those areas not necessarily as clear in scripture and yet each of us “shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).  I will not give account for your decisions, but I will give account for mine and how I honor yours.