Romans 14- What Do We Eat?

Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. Romans 14:1-4

One thing Satan likes to do is divide the Church, and there are many unnecessary divisions within the body of Christ. One thing we need to remember you are saved by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8) You are not saved by “Keeping The Law” as nobody can keep The law. You need to understand as a Christian you live under the Law of Liberty which is Christ (James 1:25, Galatians 5:1)

So there are some brothers and sisters in Christ who still try to keep parts of the Mosaic Law , including the dietary laws. The main example we will use here is pork, eating swine was considered unclean and forbidden under the Mosaic Law. But we have to remember you are in a New Covenant with Christ (Luke 22) not under the Mosaic Law. The Lord Jesus said  “So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” (Mark 7:18-19) Christ taught its the sin in our hearts the defiles us, not the things from the outside such as foods.

God gave the Apostle Peter a vision of the New Covenant “And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” (Acts 10:13-15) The Lord was trying to teach Peter he was in a New Covenant , not the Mosaic Covenant, as Peter was hesitant to preach the gospel to Gentiles and was still trying to Keep The Law.

So back to the Apostle Pauls teaching, there are still some Christians convicted not to eat pork, and as Paul is teaching us, That’s OK, if they don’t want to eat pork because of their conscience then they dont have to, if you want to eat pork, go ahead, as its the heart that defiles us and not foods. There are going to be Christians who think a little differently than you, show them love and respect, rather than getting into useless arguments! As Paul says “Not to disputes over doubtful things”

“For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables” If a Christian believes as The Lord taught all food is purified, then let them eat, if a Christian wants to try and Keep The Law, let them go.  “Let not him who eats despise him who does not” Don’t have divisions over secondary issues. If Jesus is our Lord, He is our Master, we answer to him! “Who are you to judge anothers servant”? Be united at The Lords Table, Christ is our sacrifice, our Lord, by his body and blood we have been redeemed and made Children of God! Amen!

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