| So don't condemn each other anymore. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not put an obstacle in another Christian's path. | |
| I know and am perfectly sure on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. | |
| And if another Christian is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don't let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. | |
| Then you will not be condemned for doing something you know is all right. | |
| For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. | |
| If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God. And other people will approve of you, too. |
(At the moment I'm using the New Living Translation - I find it easiest to understand for general reading.)
These were the verses we went through in church today. This entire chapter so far has really transformed the way I think in many situations. I've read this passage many times before, but I've only applied it to a few specific things such as drinking alcohol and eating meat. This passage is so much broader than that though. If God has not spoken on the subject, then it is entirely up to the person to judge if it is right for them or not. This applies to just about everything. Some women choose to not wear pants, only skirts and dresses. Some people do not eat meat. I know people who are 100% against all alcohol consumption. Some people own a TV, others do not. Some people watch rated R movies, others do not. Some people are totally fine with tattoos, others are completely against them. What this entire chapter is telling us not to judge each other based on these things.
Jesus died for all who have repented and put their trust in him. Anytime you wrongfully criticize a fellow believer in Christ, you are bringing down one of your brothers or sisters, someone who Jesus died for.
My prayer this week is that God would help me to always be mindful of the things I judge people on. My goal is to bring everything to the Lord and his Word first before passing judgment on anything.
- Shaina
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