20 Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. 22 You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right.23 But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.
Follow Your Convictions
Once again, remember to whom Paul is writing this letter. His readers are a mix of Jewish and Gentile Christians. These two groups are at odds over what is appropriate and what is inappropriate behaviour for a follower of Christ. It has got so bad that the church in Rome is in danger of splitting. It is certainly becoming ineffective in ministering to others as a result.
And in the end, nothing should come in the way of reaching the unchurched. One of the greatest criticisms the unchurched have about church people is our hypocrisy about loving others. We claim to love everyone, and yet we fight with anyone who holds to a different standard than we do. We split over the smallest of issues. We battle about doctrine, lifestyle, worship expressions, etc. In the words of Reginald Denny, Rodney King “Can’t we all just get along?”
Paul suggest that we should strive not to allow anything to destroy the work we are called to do. Now, as I pointed out yesterday, that’s not always easy to accomplish, and it’s truly a matter of the heart. We need to respond, even to those who disagree, out of a deep sense of humility and love.
Paul then goes one to talk about the importance of following your convictions. If a behaviour causes you to be even remotely uncomfortable, then you should avoid it. Don’t do something just because others push you to do it. If God is challenging you in an area, then listen to his voice.
However, I believe this is a starting point. You see, we can only trust our personal convictions to a certain point. Paul isn’t saying to only follow your personal convictions. Remember, he is speaking here of those “grey areas.” There are still things that are wrong to do regardless of how you feel about it personally.
Let me give you a very practical example. You may not feel that it’s wrong to lie when crossing the border with purchased goods. Rather than declare the full amount, you tell the border guard that you bought less than you did. After all, the government is ripping you off anyway. So, you feel no personal conviction to be dishonest. Does that mean that it’s okay to do it? Of course not, because the Bible is clear that you should be honest at all times.
So, follow your convictions. But recognize the limitations of your personal convictions.
My prayer: Lord, help me to always place the mission of the church ahead of my personal convictions. In other words, when I can work in unity with others without compromising the call you have placed on my life, help me see that and choose to live that way. Your calling is far more important than my personal choices. At the same time, help me to discern when my personal convictions are out of life with your holiness. In all things, may I do only that which brings honor to you. Amen.
Until tomorrow.
