Suzie, Andrew, and I had an awesome time at the 24-7 Hui. We attended many insightful workshops and had the opportunity to hear from experienced people who are at the forefront of youth work in New Zealand. One quote that stayed with me was from David Morrison – “The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.” In other words, when we witness wrongdoing and choose to remain silent, we are effectively accepting and allowing that behaviour to continue.
As Christians, I believe that as we spiritually mature, we become more aware of the standards God calls us to live by. We develop a deeper desire to pursue what is right, reject what is harmful, and remain faithful to Christ. While the situation in Romans 15 is slightly different from the context of Morrison’s quote, it still came to mind as I reflected on the way Christians respond to different standards and ways of living.
In the early church, Jewish and Gentile believers came from very different religious, cultural, and social backgrounds. Some Jewish Christians continued to observe particular food laws and sacred days, while many Gentile believers did not share those same convictions. Because they had lived in such different ways, they found it difficult to accept one another’s practices and lifestyles. Each group could easily believe that its own way of living was more faithful, proper, or spiritually mature.
Paul reminds them that the centre of every Christian standard must be Christ. Our question should not simply be, “What have I always believed?” or “What standards have I always followed?” Instead, we should continually ask, “Jesus, what honours You right in this situation? What will build and edify others up? What will protect life, strengthen faith, and bring peace to the community?”
This may require us to reconsider things we have always defended, as well as things we have previously ignored. Christian maturity is not only about holding firmly to our personal convictions. It is also about considering how our actions affect others and choosing what is beneficial for their spiritual growth. As Romans 15:2 says, “Each of us should please our neighbours for their good, to build them up.”
Paul then tells us in verse 7, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God”. Christ accepting us does not mean that He accepts or approves of our wrongdoing. Rather, He welcomes those who had no right to enter His home. He brings near those who were far away, gives grace to the undeserving, and welcomes sinners into the family of God. Yet His acceptance does not leave us unchanged; His grace transforms us and teaches us to live in a way that reflects Him.
Therefore, our standards must always begin and end with Christ. We should not silently tolerate what destroys people, but neither should we use our personal standards to exclude those whom Christ has welcomed. May we have the courage to speak against what is wrong, the humility to examine our own convictions, and the love to choose what builds others up and brings glory to God.
Blessings, Chae