“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains [judge] the one who eats… It is before his own master that he stands or falls…
“One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord,.. while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord. None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord…
“Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God…
“Each of us will give an account of himself to God.
“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… 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… 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.”
“Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 14:1-3a,4b-8,10-13,15,20; 15:7
At first glance, Paul seems to be deciphering food and religious celebration practices with shoulds and dos and don’ts. But his real intent is to expose selfish indulgence, impure motives, and haughty judgment on weaker believers, and to redirect the church’s allegiance to a higher Master. Days and food and drink matter nothing compared to God who is worthy of honor. Their end in all things should be to build up the Body and exalt Christ. (Romans 15:1-3)
Every ‘not’ we impose, every disregard of another’s convictions, reveals whom we honor. Honor self, personal preference and fetishes, and we dishonor God, His word, and people. To mock and castigate people for following conscience or acting in ignorance is to serve my own appetites by criticizing theirs. When first priority and passion is to honor the Lord who surrendered His all for us, our choices show respect, grace, and compassion for others. (Psalm 1:1-2; Matthew 7:1-3; Romans 16:17-18)
Concerning those things we’re free in Christ to enjoy, will we extend grace to those who take issue with us, or those we dismiss because their issues are their problem? How willing are we to forego judgment, or pleasure, for their sake? Any new mindset begins with taking on God’s. Whose liberty does He care about more- mine to do as I please, or that of one struggling to discern, or enjoy his freedom? Do I care more about exercising my rights, or honoring God by surrendering them for another? All decisions must be filtered through the mercy of Calvary. (Romans 12:10)
Lord, help me honor You by welcoming and loving others well.
As the rain and snow 