Caffeinated Crunchy Christian Moms

Read: Romans 13-14

I love today’s reading! How fitting that in chapter 13, on the 13th of February, we see such a clear focus on love?

The book of Romans was written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Rome. Paul wrote this letter to clearly explain the gospel, salvation by grace through faith, and to help unify Jewish and Gentile believers who were navigating differences in culture, background, and conviction.

As we head into Valentine’s Day, I know some Christians choose not to celebrate it. Whatever you do, do so from a place of education and conviction. How fitting that we’re in Romans 13 and 14 while talking about this. Obviously, none of us personally knew Saint Valentine. There is history about him, along with myths and legends, and much of it has been commercialized today. Many Christians point to pagan roots connected to the holiday. Again, wherever your research and conviction lead you, I am not the judge of that.

Valentine, or Valentinus, lived in the third century A.D. and was martyred. One account says he was a Roman priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. At that time, Claudius reportedly banned marriage for young men, believing single men made better soldiers. Valentine, believing in the sanctity of marriage from a Christian perspective, secretly married couples and performed weddings. When he was discovered, he was executed (Who Was St. Valentine? The Origin & History of Valentine’s Day | Bible Study Tools).

When I celebrate Valentine’s Day in my home, I do so from a place of love. Even teaching my three-year-old about it, I tell him we celebrate love because God loves us. God loved us enough to send Jesus to die for our sins, and we are called to love others. Every Christian family’s conviction on holidays will look different, and that’s okay. I just wanted to share ours.

In Romans 13, we see that love fulfills the law. In verses 8-10 we read the word LOVE 5 times. Paul writes:

“…for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” -Romans 13:8

“…Love your neighbor as yourself.” -Romans 13:9

“…Love is the fulfillment of the law.” -Romans 13:10

We know that God loves us, and we are called to love others. Paul is clear that the commandments can be summed up in this: love. If you truly love God and love others, it changes how you live. Love isn’t shallow or passive, it has the ability to completely change your mind, heart, and actions.

I really enjoy chapter 14, especially when thinking about personal convictions. It’s such a needed reminder about judgment. It is so easy to judge others, but the ultimate judge is God.

Paul writes:

“Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.” -Romans 14:1

“Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall.” -Romans 14:4

“So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” -Romans 14:12

That last verse always stops me. Each of us will give an account of ourselves, not of our neighbor, not of our friend, not of our own child, not of a stranger; ourselves.

We also read:

“Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.” -Romans 14:5

“Whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” -Romans 14:22

“…everything that does not come from faith is sin.” -Romans 14:23

Conviction matters. If you believe something is wrong and you do it anyway, that’s sin for you. As we grow in our relationship with the Lord and spend time in the Word, the Holy Spirit guides our convictions. Sometimes He places something new on your heart that was not previously there. Ignoring that nudging would be a disobedience.

We all read the Bible through different lenses. There are also various translations. This is not because truth changes, but because language and understanding can differ. Even in language as we speak, words can be synonymous. I might say shine and someone else might say glow. They both mean to give out light. As we read and study, the Holy Spirit guides us, highlighting verses, shaping our hearts, leading us in specific ways. What might be a strong conviction for you may not be the same for someone else. That doesn’t automatically make them wrong and you right, or vice versa. It may simply mean God is working in your life in a particular way to lead you down the path He has planned for you.

For example, I personally believe tattoos and swearing are sin. Scripture says:

“Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.” -Leviticus 19:28

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up…” -Ephesians 4:29

“Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” -James 3:10

Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the Lord. -Leviticus 19:12

There are also many more verses. Some people interpret and apply those verses differently. Some of my views were influenced by how I was raised, but now they are personal convictions. If I were to go out and get a tattoo or casually use swear words, for me that would be sin because I would be acting against my own conviction. When I was younger, I definitely considered getting a tattoo. And I’ve let some swear words slip before. I’m not proud of that. But I don’t continue in it. I am even careful to type out “OMGosh when I text.”

It’s not about “I’m right and you’re wrong.” It’s about being fully convinced in your own mind and living in faith before the Lord.

“If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” -Romans 14:8

Another sinful conviction for me, but one that I honestly seem to struggle with more, is judgement. Since starting my “crunchy” journey, which I did not fully grow up in, I’ve educated myself on a lot. I’ve changed what I buy, what we eat, what we put in our bodies … or lack thereof if you know what I’m saying, and what we use in our home. Once you know better, you can do better. I try to teach my kids and family the same, learning to read ingredient labels for example and learning to make informed choices. While my children are young, I guide that, but I want them to understand the why.

Here’s where I have to check my heart: I can feel judgment creep in. For example, I would never give my three-year-old processed candy full of dyes and sugars. Not even on a special occasion, because I know the detriment to a developing brain and body. When I see another parent doing that, especially if they know what those ingredients can do, I feel that judgment rise up. It’s challenging not to. But Romans 14 pulls me back. God has accepted them. Who am I to judge, even something as simple as food choices? Who are you to judge me for not giving my child processed candy? We can hold our convictions firmly while still loving others well. I can choose differently without condemning someone else. I can also do my best to educate others and be an example. There are things in this world that matter much more than food dyes.

At the end of the day, love fulfills the law, conviction guides our steps, and God alone is the judge.

Discussion Questions

1. Are you living in a way that reflects love?
2. What is one sin that you are convicted on but still struggle with?

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