Romans 14:19-23
19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
We must strive for peace in action and reconciliation on our part, looking to build up others, not tearing down God’s work in our brethren. As before, this includes those weak in faith who avoid certain foods for a religious reason. Instead of causing others to fall, we know our liberty in Christ and know we have no condemnation. So we are not to condemn others who do not eat from faith yet. We eat all God gives as good by faith, and it is God who uses us to lovingly reveal the whole counsel of God and the freedom from Law’s works. Let us do this in love, without offense.
No comments:
Post a Comment