Romans 14:14-18
14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
God had told Moses and Israel to avoid certain foods as a way to teach holiness and obedience, not to punish when they ate the wrong things; the punishment was for their disobedience and sin, not the food. Now in Christ we can eat all because it is given by God, and be at peace because He has given us His righteousness so we can obey the law in its true intent now in our renewed hearts. So we do not mandate this freedom to brothers and sisters in Christ, but agree on the essentials as we let God do the work in this area. We must not offend to instruct, but be acceptable to God in this freedom from sin as we teach, allowing His Spirit to open the eyes of understanding to the riches and liberty in Christ.
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