Apostle Paul’s treatise in Romans 14 outlines what should be and what should not determine our fellowship with one another as brethren in the house of God. Fellowship with the brethren is not based on observance of days or the foods they eat, carryovers from the cultural or spiritual background they come from.

Romans 14 sets out three criteria that guide our fellowship with one another. Is our fellowship based on:

1. Our being received or accepted of the Lord?
2. What makes us individually stand in the Lord?
3. Avoiding what makes others fall from the faith?

Answering these posers helps us avoid using or applying our knowledge on enforcing our views upon those that are yet babes in the faith (1 Timothy 4:4-5). What must be our pursuit? Living unto the Lord (Romans 14:7-8). This is the message to one another in the body, so we do not lapse into another gospel (Galatians 3:1-5).

Let us take heed to the admonition of the Lord uttered through His servants (Zechariah 7:9-10; John 13:34-35; John 15:17) loving unconditionally as were by the Lord.

Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: and oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. Zechariah 7:9-10

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:34-35

These things I command you, that ye love one another. John 15:17

Let us each know the power of the admonition in Philippians 2:12-13; 4:13; Hebrews 13:21.

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:21

This must be our prayer for one another as we pursue Ephesians 4:13.

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Ephesians 4:13

Selah.



Pastor Afolabi Oladele