TUESDAY March 22, 2022

Holding Fast to Christ

So let no one judge you in food or in drink ... Let no one cheat you of your reward....
Colossians 2:16,18

Paul taught the Colossians not to let anyone judge them for eating certain foods or drinks. How many people in the church get legalistic about such things? Now that we are Christians, we are not bound by rules and regulations about what to eat and drink. The grace of God has set us free.

If a believer feels like eating oysters, pork or even snails, they can eat them! The Law forbade the Jews from eating such things because they were considered unclean. As believers, we can eat those things. Paul exhorted Christians to always live by the law of love when exercising their freedoms:

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way ...Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food [or drink], you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died (Romans 14:13, 15).

The Scriptures are very clear. Consider the responsibility you have towards a weaker brother in Christ. Will you stumble him by exercising your freedoms? If you have the freedom to drink beer or wine, then drink alone. Think about it. What about your children, will you stumble them? Will you cause them to follow a bad pattern in life? Are you doing such things with a clear conscience? This is what the Bible teaches us: Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Are your actions giving God glory?

It is important to heed the warnings found in God’s Word about drinking: It is written that no drunkard will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:10). Know this about your freedoms: All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any (1 Corinthians 6:12). Does drinking control your life?

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit....
~Ephesians 5:18~

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