“We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.”
Romans 15:1-4 NLT Those who are more mature in the things of God understand that their salvation isn't based upon what they eat, drink, or do. Our freedom in Jesus is based upon His power, not ours! Without question, we have been freed from the sin we once were under bondage to. However, we cannot allow ourselves to be swept up in our liberty to the point that we aren't conscientious of how our conduct affects the lives of others. "For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13 NLT “But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.” 1 Corinthians 8:9 NLT Our actions, though they do not save us, are most certainly a testament to our freedom in Jesus. We are to walk in such a way that our lives draw others to Jesus Christ and bring honor and glory to His Holy Name!!! Our freedom isn't for our selfish indulgence, it is for God's glory. When we do things without giving thought to how it will affect others, we are not edifying the good of the whole. My body doesn't work as individual parts without consideration of all the other parts. They all work in harmony. This is what makes my body function properly. Each of us are to think of what is good for all. This is what Jesus did. Paul quotes Psalm 69:9 in the passage of the day (Romans 14:3). He applies the passage to what Jesus did for us. He thought of our good, not His own. He could have let us continue in our sin without hope, but He came to earth as a man to bear our sins, the Righteous for the unrighteous. We, too, should follow that example.
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March 2020
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