Challenged

Wow - this morning, I finished teaching through Romans 14, which took us two weeks to work through. It was tougher than I thought it would be. It was difficult for two reasons: 1)Realizing some issues in me that need to be addressed, and 2)Dealing with some issues that are hot button for a lot of people.

Over the years, I have increasingly set up some tight "fences" around my Christian life. Based on Romans 14, it is an admission of weakness, or at least potential weakness. I am OK with that. I mean, when a solider goes into battle, that soldier is decked out in combat gear. Wearing a helmet is an admission that a wound to the head could be fatal. Wearing a bulletproof vest is an admission that the chest is vulnerable without it. Now, one could play the role of tough guy and march into battle with crucial pieces of armor, but such a person would be a fool.

I guess with age comes the freedom to admit weakness, as difficult as that may be. When I was 20, I wanted to be the strongest guy in the room. If a table needed moved, I would move it - if someone offered to help, I would politely decline. I could handle it! Now that I am knocking on the door of 36, I may still be able to carry that table by myself, but I know that I am just asking to throw my back out. It serves me well to realize I am not as strong as I would like to think I am.

Spiritually, I have built up a lot of convictions to keep me away from sin and tempting situations. It is an admission of at least potential weakness, but I am OK with that. But what I've been convicted about in Romans 14 is not being so insistent that everyone else build the same fences around their Christian lives. Not that there isn't wisdom in my convictions. Not that I shouldn't lovingly share my convictions with another believer. But, I need to exercise more grace towards those who do not see the need for similar fences in their lives.