Nothing is Unclean in Itself

Text: Romans 14:1-23

Reflection and Question: Paul’s approach to binding the Jewish and Gentile Christians together in one fellowship has a lot to teach us about how the church can bind straight and LGBT faithful together in the church today. For Paul the heart of the matter is faith so he concludes, “For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” What does proceed from faith must not be named sinful or profane or unclean because that judgment only becomes a stumbling block for the devout brother or sister in Christ. Paul is clear, “Nothing is unclean in itself.” What do you call unclean?

Prayer: Blessed Assurance, Divine Spirit, You bind Your people in the church, the Body of Christ, active now in the world. Hold us together by our faith, stopping us from judging or hindering any other believer, embracing us all in Love. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).