"I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
In today's quote Paul said, in essence, said that if a certain group of Christians disagree with the traditions of another Christian group, about such things as ritually eating different types of food, drinking wine, selecting different days to assemble, etc, that the first group should not interfere with, or condemn the practices of the second.
Paul said Christians, in whatever they do, are required only to conduct themselves in a manner that is pleasing to God and that the traditions of ALL Christians, are to be practiced in faith and toward the honor and glory of God.
Paul said, again in essence, that a child of God should never feel guilty about allowing others to practice their traditions without condemnation because it is a blessing unto you, "Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
Paul even said that if we do feel guilt for allowing others to do as they please, that guilt is a sin to us.
In short, the children of God are ONLY bound by the two "great" commandments that Jesus Himself left us; "The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31 in part)
If we truly love our God above all else, and love our neighbors as we love ourselves, we will not place ourselves in authority over other Christians, nor will we interfere with their worship rituals.
NOTE: This lesson applies ONLY to the true children of God. Those groups whom have created their own gospel are not included. "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:14)~
NOTE: This lesson applies ONLY to the true children of God. Those groups whom have created their own gospel are not included. "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:14)~
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