THURSDAY October 22, 2020

Needless Disputes

Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.
Romans 14:1-3

Paul spoke about a believer’s liberties in Christ. We all have Christian liberties. Paul knew that someone else’s liberties might be different from another person. Some people prefer to be a vegetarian others eat meat. He encouraged those who are mature to accept those who are weak or immature, and not to argue with them. However, Christians should not exercise their liberties knowing it might stumble another believer.

The Apostle Paul got down to the nitty gritty of this subject, because in the body of Christ, people seem to try to play the Holy Spirit. As believers in Christ, we should not do that. It is best to allow the Holy Spirit to work and speak to individual people. He is the One to convict people. We cannot place rules and regulations on people. Christians need to have good morals, but I believe, when exercising our liberties, out of love we should be sensitive to younger Christians because they are not mature in Christ and could easily be stumbled.

When Christians fellowship together as the family of God, many times they have questions about eating and drinking. This may come about because every church has different beliefs. In fact, in the churches in Germany the pastors there drink beer! Now that might stumble you! Actually, some believers in other countries, while partaking of communion, will drink wine. I believe a person in the ministry, as a leader, should not drink wine, as it could make someone stumble.

Christians do have disagreements about such things, but Pastor Chuck Smith always said, “We should disagree, agreeably.”

“Embracing conflict can be a joy when we know that irritation and frustration can lead to growth and the re-energizing of ourselves and others. Hot heads and cold hearts never solved anything.”
~Billy Graham~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!