Two Ways to Draw a Tree
Written for Bible Journey Plan. Our editorial standards.
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Romans 14:19 KJV
This is an original fictional illustration, not a historical report or an added Bible event.
Milo drew a tall tree with a straight trunk. His cousin drew a short tree with branches that bent sideways. Milo said the second tree was wrong because it did not look like his.
Grandma pointed out the window. One tree stood tall beside the road, and another leaned over the fence. The cousins looked at their pictures again. Both drawings had room on the refrigerator.
Some things are right or wrong because God has told us so. Other things are simply different choices. The Bible teaches believers to seek peace and help each other grow. Milo could learn to tell the difference. He did not need to change his own tree, and he did not need to spoil his cousin's joy to enjoy drawing it.
A small step for today
Words can make a group stronger or make people quarrel. Choose words that help. Listen patiently and do not tease someone over a small difference. Some things are clearly right or wrong, and a grown-up can help you understand them. Other things are preferences. We do not need to turn every preference into a fight.
For the grown-up reading along
Paul is discussing differences among believers over disputable matters such as foods and days. He calls for peace and edification without treating clear sin or essential gospel truth as optional.
Read the KJV passage aloud. Explain unfamiliar words in ordinary language without changing the quotation.
Read further: Romans 14 in the King James Bible.