Do not destroy the Kingdom for the sake of food...

In the Wednesday night Bible study I am currently teaching, we find ourselves in the middle of Romans 14. Paul is talking to the Roman church(es) about the fact that some weaker brothers and sisters in the church are offended by the stronger members ability to eat meat that had been formerly unclean under Jewish law or had been used in pagan animal sacrifices and in the eyes of the "weaker" Christians was therefore tainted with sin. Paul urges his more seasoned brothers and sisters to "bear with the scruples" of the weak and to not destroy the kingdom of God for the sake of food.

I think this is great advice from the apostle. How often do we hear Christians today say things like, "Well, what I do in my own private time is my own business!" or "They can just get over it: It's my life!" These are not the reactions that Christ would have us to have. While in American culture, vegetarianism is not a major issue in the modern church, many social practices are that do not affect the primary mission(s) of the church. The major of church divisions I know of personally were over two issues: money and social issues. Only rarely are congregations' dividing issues matters of doctrine. While division always brings heartache, division over "doubtful things" and social practice on which a difference of opinion may simply be just that, is surely an offense before the throne of Almighty God.

We ought to, as Paul will say in chapter 15:7, "receive one another as Christ received you..." When we have the spirit of Christ, unholy division will be the last thing on our hearts and the most distant thing from our minds.

be blessed,
-Will