If there is one trend that bothers me it is the trend of people walking away from relationships over disagreements on issues. A 17th century German theologian, Rupertus Meldenius, put forth a principle, In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity, in hopes of bringing together a divided church. Paul, in Romans 14.1-12, agrees with that idea. He speaks of not judging another Christian because of what they eat or don't eat or by what they make of specific days (likely he's talking about those who have chosen to keep the Old Testament feasts versus those who do not). He gives the guiding principle that should keep us from judging others on non-essentials, do what you do in honor of the Lord. If we did that we would be consumed with His honor and not our own which is the root of judgment. Jesus speaks of the failure to forgive others as a deal breaker in receiving God's forgiveness now and eternally. How does that comport with unfriending people with whom you used to be friends but now you don't want to hear what they say because it conflicts with your opinion about issues? What if you are wrong and God did to you what you have done to others? Finally, the Exodus lesson tells of the destruction of the Egyptian army in the Red Sea after the Israelites have crossed on dry ground. In the seder meal on Passover the Jews remove some of the wine from the cup. Those drops mean joy isn't complete because God destroyed some of His creatures, the Egyptians, some of those created in the image of God and that means sorrow keeps joy from completion. Let us not be guilty of walking away from brothers and sisters, judging them as bad or evil if we disagree and in so doing denying our own status as sinners saved by the work of Christ.
