Change what you believe, not what you do.
I came across something interesting this week that I would like us to discuss. I was reading Romans 14 in the Message translation of the bible, and it dawned on me that Paul spoke about the importance of conviction. He admonished believers not to compare themselves with one another but to strive to act based on personal persuasion.
He wrote, ‘If the way you live isn’t consistent with what you believe, then it’s wrong. Whatever is done in doubt is sinful.’ Paul continues, “Act based on your conviction before God, not merely responding to other people’s opinions. Cultivate your relationship with God and base your conviction on Him. Let your actions be motivated by your conviction.” He ends the letter by saying, “Seek to gain a new perspective, not men’s approval, and you must fully be satisfied and assured in your mind of the things that you do.”
As we all plan for the new year, are your resolutions your convictions, or are you trying to do what everyone else does? What habits and lifestyle do you want to cultivate for yourself in the new year?
Please read the scripture Romans 14 (preferably in the Message Translation) and share what you learn.
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For 2021, my focus is repentance. I am intentionally getting to the root of poor thinking habits and building a healthier mindset by changing the way I think. This month I am addressing a bad mental habit I’ve had for decades of evaluating myself based on what other people think or feel about me, or how I feel I stack up against others.
I liked reading Romans 14 in the Message translation. It highlighted for me something I’ve been working through in repentance, which is the importance of clarifying what my convictions are so I can behave accordingly. I’ve grown accustomed to behaving to meet other people’s expectations, so it’s an interesting exercise to dig up the convictions in my own heart (it’s almost like an excavation).
Romans 14 also reminded me not to judge other believers on matters that are simply personal preferences, but to focus on what’s important… which is loving people and encouraging them in the Word.
I am encouraged by the possibility of change and growth that we all will experience this year.
Growing up as a young Christian during my high school days, I read a lot of the bible epistles especially Paul’s letters and that of Peter. They formed the guiding principles of my behaviour or lifestyle as a believer. I found in them the true expression of the Christian experience because they actually talk about day to day challenges of being a Christian and how to respond to them.
Romans 14 is one of such letters that I repeatedly read because it deals with tolerance of our biopsychosocial differences as believers. Instead of comparing ourselves or criticizing ourselves we should focus on what unites is in love. We stop trying to look for faults in what other people or perhaps denominations do, rather build our faith and look for what will build the faith of others too. I think every believer should read Romans 14 and indeed the epistles to know how we ought to conduct ourselves as believers.
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Ukemeobong Michael.
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