ROMANS 14:2

“One person has faith that he may eat all things, but the one who is weak eats only vegetables.”

Did you know the Indian word for “vegetarian” means bad hunter? Lol. Not really but that is kind of funny. I can’t for the life of me understand anyone who would deprive themselves of a nice, juicy cheeseburger or thick slice of bacon. But that’s just me. I have lots of friends who have chosen a vegan or vegetarian diet for health reasons. I can respect that. This was a religious issue in Paul’s time. Let’s look at today’s verse as he begins this discussion.

Let me say first of all that this was not about food or drink. That was just the issue that revealed the deeper conflict – mature believers vs immature believers. In the day Paul was writing this, there were a lot a believing Jews who were concerned about eating meat that had not been prepared according to the Old Testament guidelines. There were Gentile believers who were afraid they might eat meat that had been offered to pagan idols. Therefore, both of these groups just avoided meat. This caused conflict with those who felt they were free to eat whatever they chose. Paul begins this discussion describing this difference of belief.

APPLICATION

In regard to this conflict, Matthew Henry says, “We usurp the place of God, when we take upon us thus to judge the thoughts and intentions of others, which are out of our view.” I had friends in seminary who refused to go out to eat on Sundays because that would force someone to serve them. They felt Sundays were a day of rest. I was told time and time again growing up that I couldn’t go fishing on Sunday. I don’t why my mama believed that. Maybe she just didn’t want to get stuck cooking fish on Sundays, lol.

Differences in things that are not clearly defined in Scripture should never divide the body of Christ. Now, there are some very definite commands we should all follow. On those we must agree. But what to eat or not eat should not be one of them. Remember Peter’s dream in Acts 10:9-16? God told him, “‘What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.’” Peter knew later that this dream had more to do with accepting the Gentiles as believers than about what was clean or unclean to eat.

Let us all agree to do all we can to encourage our fellow believers in their walk. Don’t let minor discrepancies become a wedge that the devil can use to undermine the stability of the body of Christ. He will use anything to do that. Love at all costs. Accept the weaker in faith in order to disciple them and teach them the freedom we have in Christ. Amen?

Thank You, Lord, for the freedom we have in Christ. Let us continue to build each other up.

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