CHRISTIAN LIBERTY
Romans 14, a chapter containing Paul’s teaching about being mature in the faith. Thus able to see differences without condemning. Certainly there are right/correct views of issues of Scripture, but at the same time those who are new in the faith do not have the experience to understand many differences. To give one of a different view space to grow doesn’t necessarily mean to agree with them. Paul uses the issue of “kosher” eating habits of the Jewish faith; noting that what you eat has little or nothing to do with being a follower of Christ. Romans 14:14 clarifies the fact that “nothing is unclean of itself”; thus it is only important to not offend others on purpose. Let them have their behavior and you can have your own behavior, no harm done. Fellowship is maintained when we allow some “ different space” to others. Some are vegetarians others choose to eat meat. Neither position has any advantage scripturally, only preference. Things change when one is changing truth in Scripture. Paul was so adamant about absolute truth that in Galatians 1:8 he says: “As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed”. Opinions about non-essential truth is just that, but when the truth of Scripture is compromised one has overstepped truth bounds. It is a kind and loving spirit that points out truth in Scripture by having others read it before you. Paul designates those less experienced in truth in God’s word as “weaker” in knowledge. HELP THEM!
TRUTH IS ABSOLUTE NOT OPINIONATED
REALIZATION
A Healthy Mentality
We all need to assess the things that seem to irritate us and the way we deal with them. Choosing a wrong approach can destroy our witness to those we work around. When a decision is neither, right nor wrong, choose to come to some agreement that will not offend anyone. Good friendships are hard to come by and harder to keep.
Enjoy your Christian freedom and avoid placing stumbling blocks before others.
COACHES CORNER
BEGIN--Always begin somewhere. You cannot build a reputation or accomplish anything on what you intend to do.
DO SOMETHING, if it turns out wrong you can fix it, you cannot fix doing nothing.
DON’T GIVE UP, JUST DO THE RIGHT THING AND KEEP GOING.
TRUTH IN SCRIPTURE
Sunday Morning Bible Study 9:30 am
“ACCEPT”
Romans 14:1-19
THE WORST OF IT
One day a boy with a basket on his arm went to the door of a home and asked the lady if she wished some berries. He had spent several hours gathering them, and now he was looking for customers. ‘Yes,” said the lady, “I will take them.” So she took the basket to measure the berries, whistling the boy remained at the door whistling to the canary bird in its cage. “Don’t you wish to come in and see that I measured your berries correctly?” asked the lady. “I’m not afraid,” answered the boy. “If you cheated me, you would get the worst of it.” “Get the worst of it?” said the lady in surprise; “what do you mean by that?” “Why Ma’am” replied the boy, “I would lose some of my berries, but you would make yourself dishonest. Wouldn’t that be getting the worst of it?”
--the Kleinknecht Encyclopedia
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