It is not our responsibility to decide the requirements for Christian fellowship in a church; only the Lord can do this. To set up man-made restrictions on the basis of personal prejudices (or even convictions) is to go beyond the Word of God. Because God has received us, we must receive one another.

We must not argue over these matters, nor must we judge or despise one another.
In every church there are weak and strong believers. The strong understand spiritual truth and practice it, but the weak have not yet grown into that level of maturity and liberty. The weak must not condemn the strong and call them unspiritual.

The strong must not despise the weak and call them immature. God has received both the weak and the strong; therefore, they should receive one another.

Verse for today: “Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God” (Romans 15:7).

Consider: Psalm 133; Acts 15; Romans 14:1-12.

Action assignment: Can you agree with St. Augustine’s statement, “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity”? If fellowship in the body of Christ is a lack in your life, think through the self-made restrictions you might be imposing on others. List them and then pray for God to give you love and understanding in these areas. Then practice “receiving” a specific person who differs from you.

WARREN W. WIERSBE
www.backtothebible.in