Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Romans 14:10-23 (NLT)

10 So why do you condemn another believer[a]? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For the Scriptures say,

   “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
   ‘every knee will bend to me,
      and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.[b]’”
  

12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. 13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

14 I know and am convinced 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. 15 And if another believer 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. 16 Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good. 17 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. 18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. 19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
  
20 Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. 22 You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. 23 But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.

3 comments:

cas said...

POWERFUL! Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. Thought this was interesting - ....For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning. Praying for you guys today.

tom anderson said...

And we're not always aware that we may be making others stumble.

Guys, a prayer request for my mom - my step-father passed away last week. We were in Alabama for the funeral over the weekend. Prayer that my mom can deal with the loss and loneliness that lies ahead. Thanks.

TBA

trm said...

CAS, good comment and focus. TBA, just said a prayer for your mom and will keep her in our prayers as a family. It will be tough for her but she's got God and family nearby, right. I also agree wholeheartedly with your comment about our influence on others

My dad was a big stickler for this part passage. He never drinks beer or alcohol because of some close friends that ruined their lives due to alcoholism.

Billy Burch spoke this weekend about how we talk to others. How do I come off around my family when we're together.

Great challenges, CAS, thanks for the prayers