October 14, 2024
Melissa Valerio
If there’s one thing I know for sure when it comes to God, it’s that I know nothing. He’s a mystery, plain and simple. His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). He works in wonderous ways too complex for us to understand. The way He leads one believer can differ vastly from the way He leads another believer. And the way He works in each one of us can be as diverse as each individual personality. How the Spirit works in me is different than how the Spirit works in you. In one person, God may take years to grow the man’s faith. In another, He may take only months. In either case, God’s going to do what God’s going to do. Plain and simple.
In Romans 14, Paul interrupts our one-way thinking and attempts to get us to understand that each of us are at various stages in our faith walk. A baby in Christ is going to look and act very differently than someone who’s been walking with the Lord for 30 years. And the one who’s been walking with the Lord for a longer period of time should have grace and understanding for the one who is still yet learning to walk. Too much value placed on our own way of thinking can lead us to judgement. I have certain liberties in Christ, yes, but exercising those liberties may be detrimental to a newer believer who isn’t strong enough in the faith to stand on my convictions. They must live according to their own convictions, because they will need to give an account to God for their actions, just like I will.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are the greatest mystery of all time! They way You work in one person can be completely different than the way You work in another. Same goal of sanctification, but different in the ways You relate to each of us. Thank You for being personal and intentional in the ways You teach each of us. At our own pace, with our own lessons, with our own revelations; all designed to be the most effective for each individual. Help us have grace and love for all our brothers and sisters, no matter what stage You have them at. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Action: Seeing a weaker brother or sister in the faith gives us opportunity to share our strengths. Identify one way you can strengthen your brother or sister. Here are some ideas: 1. Get together with them and lead them into prayer, asking for God to help in whatever situation they’re dealing with. 2. Share some scripture with them that might settle their spirit or teach them something new about God’s character. 3. Testify to them about something God has done in your life and how that impacted the way you view Him.