The Others

"Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with - even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently."

Romans 14:1-12 The Message

Thinking about the context of 1st Century Rome I am reminded of the huge diversity experienced in the Christian community right from the beginning. The house churches in Rome were all different. Some were mostly Hebrew culture Jewish Christians. Some were mostly Greek culture Jewish Christians. And then the huge range of Gentile Christians.

It's a bit like that where I live too. There's right brain Christians and left brain Christians. See John's article at The Ooze. There's people with University degrees. And there's people who are suspicious of anything that seems to intellectual. There's country and western music people. And there's progressive rock people. Then there's a full range of opinions on sexuality etc. We all have the challenge of acknowledging and respecting one another - even when we don't measure up to each other's criteria for spiritual maturity.