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. (Romans 14:14)
As we studied previously, Paul was instructing the church in Rome, let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. (Romans 14:13) So we as Christians have the liberty to do whatever we want, but that doesn't mean that we should, because "Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9) Yes, we are! 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. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. (Romans 14:15-18)
Do not let your good be spoken of as evil! Paul explained this to the church in Corinth by saying, We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. (I Corinthians 8:1) Edify means to instruct or improve morally and spiritually through encouragement. If we are to love as Christ Jesus commanded us to, we have to be mindful of not only what we say and do, but how we say and do. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 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. 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. (Romans 14:19-21)
The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. Two very important statements! We who are Christians, who have accepted salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, have a very important job to do. Jesus commanded us, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20) Just like the Jews who started the church in Rome, we are going to encounter people from various nationalities and backgrounds with various beliefs, especially regarding what people should and should not eat.
Let's follow the example of Christ, Who as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ [Hosea 6:6] For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Matthew 9:10-13) We have to be able to be around people of all backgrounds and relate to them in a way that leads them to repentance, while at the same time, ...considering yourself lest you also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)
The apostle Paul left us a good example also, For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. (I Corinthians 9:19-23)
Paul even had to correct the apostle Peter for being a hypocrite and eating with Gentiles, but then separating himself when the Jews came around. Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. ... But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all,... "knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. (Galatians 2:11-16)
Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin. (Romans 14:22-23) We have to make sure our conscience is clear before God. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. (I John 3:20-21) For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward [others]. (II Corinthians 1:12)
As we studied previously, Paul was instructing the church in Rome, let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. (Romans 14:13) So we as Christians have the liberty to do whatever we want, but that doesn't mean that we should, because "Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9) Yes, we are! 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. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. (Romans 14:15-18)
Do not let your good be spoken of as evil! Paul explained this to the church in Corinth by saying, We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. (I Corinthians 8:1) Edify means to instruct or improve morally and spiritually through encouragement. If we are to love as Christ Jesus commanded us to, we have to be mindful of not only what we say and do, but how we say and do. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 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. 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. (Romans 14:19-21)
The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. Two very important statements! We who are Christians, who have accepted salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, have a very important job to do. Jesus commanded us, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20) Just like the Jews who started the church in Rome, we are going to encounter people from various nationalities and backgrounds with various beliefs, especially regarding what people should and should not eat.
Let's follow the example of Christ, Who as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ [Hosea 6:6] For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Matthew 9:10-13) We have to be able to be around people of all backgrounds and relate to them in a way that leads them to repentance, while at the same time, ...considering yourself lest you also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)
The apostle Paul left us a good example also, For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. (I Corinthians 9:19-23)
Paul even had to correct the apostle Peter for being a hypocrite and eating with Gentiles, but then separating himself when the Jews came around. Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. ... But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all,... "knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. (Galatians 2:11-16)
Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin. (Romans 14:22-23) We have to make sure our conscience is clear before God. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. (I John 3:20-21) For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward [others]. (II Corinthians 1:12)
We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written,“The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” [Psalm 69:9] (Romans 15:1-3) How counter cultural this statement is. This world is so focused on putting ourselves before others, being happy, name it and claim it. "We want to have a testimony, but we don't want to have the test." "We want to be an over comer, but we don't want to have anything to overcome."
We recite the two greatest commandments with ease (Matthew 22:37-40), but this is what they mean, that we each please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. (I Corinthians 10:31-11:1) For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:4-6) AMEN!
We recite the two greatest commandments with ease (Matthew 22:37-40), but this is what they mean, that we each please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. (I Corinthians 10:31-11:1) For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:4-6) AMEN!
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