July 31

2 Chronicles 29:1-36; Romans 14:1-23; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverbs 20:12

The seminary I attended (Dallas Theological Seminary) mandates that all students affirm the essentials of the Christian faith in order to attend as students. These essentials are:

1. the Trinity
2. the full deity and humanity of Christ
3. the spiritual lostness of the human race
4. the substitutionary atonement and bodily resurrection of Christ
5. salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone
6. the physical return of Christ
7. the authority and inerrancy of Scripture.

Much of the letter to the Romans has focused on these essentials. Paul started with the spiritual lostness of the human race and then moved to salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Now in chapter 14 he moves to "disputable matters" or what we might call gray areas. These are things the Bible does not specifically address or areas where Christians can agree to disagree. Paul discusses food we eat and days we celebrate. In every generation the issues may differ.

Paul tells us not to "judge" someone else concerning these issues. We can disagree on these gray areas and still have unity as the family of God. Instead of harping on these issues, we are to "make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." We are to focus on the doctrines where we have unity rather than the issues that may divide us.

God, my Father, thank you that you have revealed your truth to us. Thank you for speaking clearly to so many issues and also giving us freedom and flexibility in other areas. Help me to know how to follow your Spirit's leading in all areas and to live by faith. Help me to pursue unity, peace, and mutual edification within the church today. Amen.

Question of the day: What are gray areas with which you may disagree with other Christians and how can you focus on unity instead of the blurred lines?