Walk according to love

Romans 14:15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. In today’s verse, I’m struck by Paul’s choice of the word destroy. That seems like a strong word to describe what occurs if a brother eats something that to another brother would be a sin. Paul told them that if your eating something hurts, that is causes some pain of mind or distress or grief, your brother, then you are causing destruction. What is being destroyed? Your brother’s faith is being destroyed. The idea of destroy is to bring something to an end or to cause your brother to lose something. It’s not bringing the food to an end. It is his faith that comes to an end if your brother eats when he is convinced he should not. He suffers loss in his relationship with His Lord who has him standing in that position on the issue. Remember what Paul wrote in vs. 4. “To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” So if you or your brother is moved from his position of faith on an issue by another’s actions or persuasion, then you or they have suffered a loss in your relationship with Jesus. Now we look at perhaps the most important thing Paul said in this verse. To hurt your brother in this way is grievous because Jesus died for him. That means this brother’s standing with Jesus is precious and valuable to Jesus, and of course, precious and valuable to the brother. This takes us back to the main point of chapter 14 when it comes to how we love one another when we differ on issues that are not clearly addressed in Scripture. Our relationship with Jesus governs our relationships. If we love and treasure Jesus, we will love and treasure who He loves. We owe our brothers and sister agape love. Period. May we be encouraged today to love those whom He loves and puts in our paths for His glory. Paul encourages us to walk according to love. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com