17 February 2026
“We have been reading Leviticus. Dietary laws. Clean and unclean.” Mark Penrith took us into the tension of Romans 14. “One eats. One does not.” Both are sincere. Both believe they honour God. Yet Paul writes, “One person believes he may eat anything, while one who is weak eats only vegetables” Romans 14:2. Then he commands, “One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat, and one who does not eat must not judge one who does, because God has accepted him” Romans 14:3. That last line changes everything.
Mark Penrith said, “Paul does not settle the diet. He lifts their eyes from the plate to the house.” We fixate on the menu. God focuses on ownership. “God has accepted him. Past tense. Settled.” Before you formed your opinion, before you replayed the conversation in your mind, the Lord had already welcomed your brother. Your criticism arrives late. Heaven’s verdict is already in.
Paul presses further. “Who are you to judge another’s household servant?” Romans 14:4. Mark said, “You do not walk into another man’s house and evaluate his servants.” The image is humbling. Your brother is not your employee. He is not accountable to your preferences. “Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And he will stand, because the Lord is able to make him stand” Romans 14:4. Mark reminded us, “Your brother does not stand by your approval. He stands by his Master’s power.”
So speak this truth when your heart grows sharp. Say it out loud. God has accepted him. Let that sentence silence your inner prosecutor. Replace critique with prayer. Thank Christ that the same blood bought you both. At home, when your children clash over small differences, remind them, “The house is not yours.” Mark said, “You are also a child.” Unity begins with remembering whose house it is.
“The house is not yours.” The Lord is able to make him stand.
Father, guard my tongue and humble my heart. Teach me to trust Your verdict over my own. Amen.