March 17, 2014

“Do Not Destroy…”

Blessings folk!

Now, we are getting down to where we began.

Read the following:

Romans 14:13-15
13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.
14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.

Yes.
We have liberty to eat and drink what we desire.

Yes.
We are to accept those who are weaker...those who refrain from eating certain things.

Yes.
We are to not judge OneAnother, but to be convinced in the Lord.

No.
I am not at liberty and freedom to cause a brother to stumble.

If a weaker brother is offended by that which I eat/drink, then I will limit my freedom/liberty for the sake of the brother.

I will not partake in the presence of the brother.
I will partake in the presence of a stronger brother.

This is not compromise.
This is love.

Paul knew and was convinced that there is nothing that is unclean of itself.
But, he also knew that if someone thought that such was unclean, then it was unclean.

We are not to hurt a brother for the sake of freedom/liberty in food/drink.
To do so is to no longer walk in love.

We are not to destroy OneAnother for the sake of food.