Revelation 1:3 English Standard Version (ESV) Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

I believe in Jesus Christ and His atoning works of the Cross, death and resurrection. I believe that I will not be allowed to be compromised on this issue.

I believe His Word is true. I believe I will not be compromised on this issue.

Then why have I not read aloud the words of this prophecy? Do I believe that only preachers have the right to read these words aloud? No. So why have I not read the words out loud to receive the blessing?

This will always be an issue within our ministries. Why do we hold to certain practices and ignore others? It is not ignorance, we know His word. We even believe this to be true and yet leave some things undone.

I will make no excuses for the things I have left undone.

Romans 14:22 English Standard Version (ESV) The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.

Approving of a thing that is left undone might fit into His Word here. I should not take it upon myself to do a thing simply to avoid self-judgment. Judging ourselves is not the same thing as being commanded by the Lord. How many things do we practice in the name of faith that are nothing more than self-condemnation?

A wise elder once told me, “If you don’t feel like doing it, don’t.” It was an object lesson about motivations of the heart.

To be continued tomorrow.

Ephesians 4:1-3 English Standard Version

¹ I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ³ eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Yesterday’s blog ended with a question about understanding where our parent’s traditions might have started. While pondering those thoughts it became evident that each couple brings their own set of experiences into a new marriage. Those experiences do not always align themselves perfectly.

For the sake of the marriage compromises might be the result. Insisting on one’s own traditions over our spouse places them in a position of forced submission. That puts a strain on the relationship which is unjustified.

Romans 14:5 English Standard Version (ESV) One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

Being convince in one’s own mind does not imply that we should insist on having things our own way.

1 Corinthians 13:5 says that love does not insist on having its own way. We should go one step further in full knowledge of this and not allow our countenance to reflect displeasure in our compromises. That would make others uncomfortable without just cause.

We need only explain our position to those who need to know for the sake of relationship.

The offspring of these marriages deserve to know the position of the parents without insisting that they make a choice between the parents. They should be allowed to choose for themselves. It may end up that with full understanding and the freedom to choose for themselves, they might not choose either of their parent’s traditions.

Traditions are not as important as loving relationships.