The Encourager
“Getting Along with Others - Radio Program”
Getting Along with Others
By Jeff Curtis
The principles of Romans 14 can help any time people disagree. Everrtt Huffard uses the passage when talking to couples about getting along in marriage. A principle he takes from this chapter is this: “It’s okay to lose an argument even if you’re right” (Life Maturity and the Family). That statement might seem strange to some of us. Because we want to be right. Always. American statesman Henry Clay (1777-1852) was noted as saying, “I’d rather be right than be President” (Bartlett’s Familiar Quotes). Even more important than being right, we want any who disagree with us to admit that we are right.
Paul’s discussion in Romans 14 revolved around the eating of meat controversy in the first century church. He left no doubt regarding who was right on that issue. He said that the one who ate “vegetables only” was the “weak” brother (14:2). He said that “nothing [no food, including meat] is unclean in itself” (14:14) and identified this as the “strong” position (Romans 15:1). Nevertheless, Paul made it clear that some things were more important than being right on that issue.
What could possibly be more important than being right? In Romans 14:13-23, Paul noted several things of greater significance. In verses 13-18, he emphasized that it is more important to do no harm to a brother than to be right in matters of opinion (14:13,15). Verses 19-23 he continues to underscore the need to do no harm to fellow Christians, but an additional thought is added. We may be able to fulfill Paul’s instruction no to hurt a brother by doing nothing, just by leaving them alone. But the text goes beyond that to include a positive emphasis, the need to do something. Paul said, in effect, that it is more important to help a brother than it is to be right (14:19).
“It’s the Least I Can Do”
by Heath Rogers
“It’s the least that I can do.” This is often a polite response to an expression of gratitude, especially when one realizes they could have done more. Such may be an expression of humility, but it could also be an accurate statement if one has made a minimal effort. We are used to hearing the expression, and sometimes say it ourselves. However, such should never be the attitude towards our service to God.
Think about it. In saving us from our own sins, God did not put forth a minimal effort. Pay attention to the words of Romans 8:32 - “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all…” God gave His only begotten Son to secure our salvation (John 3:16). Is He honored by “the least we can do”?
Jesus did not put forth a minimal effort to save our souls from an eternal hell. Pay attention to the words of Philippians 2:8 - “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Jesus willingly went to the cross in our place. Is He honored by “the least we can do?”
“The least I can do” is not a suitable motto or frame of mind for a faithful servant of the Savior.
Meditate on this:
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
