We are in Romans 14 and are about to begin with verse 13 but before doing so I want to repeat verse 12. As it reveals the next judgment seats action.
Romans 14:12 "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." (KJV)
Romans 14:12 "So then each of us will give an account of himself to God." (ESV)
Romans 14:12 "Thus the logic of GOD will find its personal expression in every person." (The Mirror)
Romans 14:13-23 "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (KJV)
Romans 14:13-23 "Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin." (ESV)
Romans 14:13-23 "There remains no further cause for judging anyone, rather determine that you will not allow suspicion or prejudice to snare your brother into a trap. I am completely persuaded that in the LORD Jesus nothing is unclean in itself; it only seems unclean in someone's own religious reasoning. But to walk in love is more important than to feed your appetite with your favorite food. Much rather lose out on a meal than lose a brother for whom Christ died. I mean Jesus sacrificed his flesh life; for you to sacrifice a meal is no big deal. Do not let your right to eat bring shame on Christ. GOD's royal dominion is not based on food and drink regulations, but righteousness, (likeness) friendship (peace) and joy in the Holy Spirit. This is definitely a win-win situation; GOD is pleased and people respect you. Pursue what ever promotes peace and mutual encouragement. Do not let a diet issue undo the work that GOD has done in someone's life. All foods are good in essence; it only becomes evil if someone causes or takes offense. For your brother's sake, in order not to offend or tempt his weakness, it is better to not eat meat or drink wine in his presence. At the end of the day, it is your own belief that matters most before GOD; do what your heart approves of without allowing guilt to interfere with your joy. Don't let principle and prejudice spoil your meal! Whatever is law-rather than faith-inspired is [1, G266] out of sync with the celebration of life! ("Whatever is not sourced in faith is sin," [1, G266 from G264 with the base of G3313] hamartia, a distorted from; out of sync.) (The Mirror)
Next we shall move into chapter 15 which brings us to faith, strong faith. Which we shall look at the LORD willing in next post.
No comments:
Post a Comment