Conviction Vs Character

Conviction Vs. Character
By: Pastor Amie Donovan

“Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.”  -Romans 14:3

We just celebrated Mother’s Day. I confess I love this holiday because I have a wonderful Mom that I get to make much of. I also love this holiday because it’s one of the few days out of the year my teenage children choose me over their friends. That’s worth celebrating, can I get an Amen?! Often, I find myself thinking back on the days before I had children. I remember thinking to myself, “My kids would never act like that!” or “No way would I allow my children to do that thing!” 

Now that I have 5 children ranging from 19 to 8, I laugh at my younger self. Oh, the hills I would die on. One thing I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older is this….

We ought to be careful what hills we die on that we haven’t climbed. Perspective often changes with elevation. 

How Christians with differing viewpoints on issues of freedom and sin should treat one another is outlined in Romans 14. The context of this chapter really centers around verse 3. In short, individuals who have strong personal convictions should refrain from passing judgment on individuals who do not share their convictions. The message version says this at the end of verse 1 “…Remember they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.”

When I look back on the parents with screaming toddlers, speeding sons, or pierced daughters I want to give them a hug and tell them God sees them. We must not allow our convictions to become another’s character. For God welcomes all who call on His name. He will work out our hills as we go. Our job is to come beside.