"You are what you eat," is a slogan and book title by a nutritionist named Victor Lindlahr. He said that our health is linked to the food we eat. The 'for better or for worse' scenario comes to the fore.
Yes, I know that Paul was not talking about diet and health in Romans 14 but it is true that our diet can reflect our cultural and/or religious backgrounds. The adherents to these backgrounds will indeed tend to have mirrored health, depending on the foods they eat.
But still, this was not Paul's point I believe. When the food a person eats stems from religious and even cultural beliefs, and each respective person believes he or she is RIGHT! that's where clashes could likely have broken out as each try to gain dominance.
Once again we are reminded of the Roman congregation of believers' backgrounds. The Jews had food restrictions a mile long derived from the Law of Moses God had given to the Israelites and that was passed down through the ages - for more than one millenia!
Cogitate on that a while. How ingrained that'd be! How right these laws would be as fixed in the minds of these religious devotees! Enter the Gentiles who'd even eat pork and other foods sold in markets, food that had often been offered to idols first. You get the picture!
Paul articulately addresses this issue in one magnificent, professional, fluid flourish of his mind and pen. He wrote,
"I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean" (Romans 14:14 ESV).
And he even says,
"Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him" (Romans 14:3 ESV).
That evens things up nicely. Paul doesn't leave it at that though because if this is just a mechanical do or don't on your own strength case, it would likely fail miserably.
"None of us lives to himself" (Romans 14:7).
You won't be able to do it alone. You need the Lord and the fellowship of the believers in support. And if a believer of whatever background grieves another brother or sister by what they eat in front of them, they are
"no longer walking in love" (vs. 15).
That puts it bluntly and Paul adds warning,
"Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God" (vs 20).
Check it out. Ask yourself, "Am I ME-centered, or CHRIST-centered?!"
I know a brother who eats with others - co-workers - but because they abstain from certain foods and he wants to eat with them to try to keep harmonious relationship as best he can for greater efficiency and healthy work environment, he'll join them in the type of food choice they make, even though it's not his favorite. This is sacrifice to himself for the good of all. He keeps his faith between himself and God, and eats what they eat.
What's more, when believers in Jesus Christ meet with other believers we can do ...
"... what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding" (v. 19).
I realize this is not an easy road to travel, especially when certain things have been ingrained in us since childhood as if it's part of our DNA, but then again when we abstain or partake, in love and humility, the love of God by-the-way, it all helps to maintain unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
In so doing, we "do not destroy the work of God" for the sake of food or for the sake of whatever the quarrel is about. Let not pride and "my right way" stumble another nor divide a congregation of believers. Food and drink are not as important as peace and unity of Sprit among the people of God.
May our Lord bless the sacrifices we make in these types of circumstances. God bless us all as we walk humbly with Him.
So be it, Lord. Amen.
~ ERC May 2026 ~
Based on Romans 14 ESV.
Sing, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, along with Alan Parks.
No comments:
Post a Comment