Honor the work of God

Romans 14:20-21 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. Apparently, Paul had heard that there was a problem among the brethren in Rome. When eating with one another, there were some whose faith did not allow them to eat meat, and others who saw no problem with eating meat. The one’s who ate meat in the presence of those who believed that the meat was unclean were offending those who could not eat meat. The offense probably was that they were were being made to feel that they weren’t spiritual or were inferior in their faith. Paul wanted them to realize how selfish or evil it was for them to tear down the work of God, the faith that their brothers or sisters had for the sake of eating what they wanted. He called the things that they do which stumble each other evil things if doing them gives offense. That’s not walking according to love. In contrast, he said it is a good thing to refrain from eating or drinking something that causes a brother or sister to stumble and do something that they don’t have a clear conscience doing with Jesus. Let’s be encouraged that whatever position of faith a brother or sister has on any given issue where the Scriptures are unclear is a work of God. We want to do all that we can to encourage and build up our brothers and sisters in their walk with Jesus, even when they differ from us. We don’t need to or want to control them to be like we are. They are not being conformed to our image, but to the image of Jesus, their Lord. Their faith is God’s work and is all about their relationship with the Holy Spirit. Their highest good is to do what as best they believe to be the will of God. Our highest good is to encourage them to walk by faith with Jesus. I encourage you today to honor the work of God in the lives of those God puts in your paths. That’s living to love with Jesus. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com