We can quibble over things we feel are important to us, especially when others don't share our enthusiasm for those things - whether food, holidays, teams, special days, or events. This kind of divisive quarreling often feels more like a sign of our insecurities than as a mark of our sincere desire to honor God and bless others. Paul reminded the Corinthians that they were to do whatever they chose to do based on their commitment to honor the
Lord. They were not to do things because others did them and approved them or didn't do or approve them. We must be careful about judging others for what they do or do not celebrate, eat, drink, or approve. Judging people's hearts based on external things and controversial matters is dangerous. We need to consider whether we should do something - or not do it - based on honoring the
Lord and building up our brothers and sisters in Christ. Whatever we do must have as its goal what Jesus said was most important: Loving and honoring God with all I am and loving my neighbor as I love myself (
Matthew 22:37-40). Or, as Paul says elsewhere:
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17).
Holy and Righteous Father, forgive my foolish and divisive behaviors. Help me avoid them and refuse to get so worked up over controversial and divisive things that I forget to keep my focus on the matters and people that are important to you. May all I do be done based on a conscious and consecrated decision to honor you and bless others through Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.
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