Romans 14 – Ministry of Grace Church

Category: Romans 14

Romans 14:23 – Walking By Faith

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Will

But whoever doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Truth to Learn

Listening to the Holy Spirit means walking by faith.

Behind the Words

“Doubts” is translated from the verb diakrinō, made up of dia, denoting separation and krinō, meaning “to judge, distinguish, or decide.” Diakrinō means “to make a distinction between two things.” When expressed in the middle voice, as it is here, it means “to contend with oneself.” That is, “to waver between two points of view” or “to doubt.”

The word “condemned” is from katakrinō, which means “to judge down” or “to judge as guilty.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense, indicating action which was completed in the past but with an ongoing effect, the emphasis being on the ongoing effect.

“Sin” is translated from the Greek noun hamartia. The verb form of this word, hamartanō, means “to miss the mark.” Thus, a sin is something in which God instructs us to do one thing and we do something else (we miss the mark He has set for us).

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking about decisions that we make regarding the things we have convictions about. In the previous verse he told us that we will be blessed if we allow ourselves to do those things which we are convinced are okay. Now he looks at the other side of the coin. He addresses what happens if we are convicted by the Holy Spirit not to do something but we do it anyway.

He goes back to the example of eating and says, “But whoever doubts is condemned if he eats.” If the Holy Spirit and our conscience tell us that it is okay to do something, then it is okay to do it. But, if our conscience is nagging us about something, or if the Holy Spirit will not let us have peace about a potential decision and we go ahead and do it anyway, then our actions will result in sin. The reason, according to Paul, is “because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.” In other words, if we can’t feel complete spiritual peace about something, then we shouldn’t do it. That’s where faith comes into this picture. If it’s what God wants us to do, then we WILL have peace about it. That’s not to say that there won’t be some uncertainty about the future. What we can be sure of, however, is that if we have peace about our decision after we have prayed about it and have earnestly sought God’s direction, then it’s time to move ahead and follow our decision.

If, on the other hand, after we have prayed about the decision, seeking God’s guidance, we still have doubts in our mind as to whether we should do it, then we shouldn’t! In this case the doubts are a product of Holy Spirit conviction.

The key to all this is that we must be submitted to God and we must be committed to doing His will. If this is true and we have earnestly sought God’s guidance, then the lack of doubt is a sign of God’s approval.

Application

This type of behavior requires a level of spiritual maturity that some Christians never achieve because it requires exercising their faith. This is an example of walking by faith, not by sight. It requires the ability to discern between what we want to do and what God wants us to do. Are you willing to submit your will to that of your Heavenly Father and walk by faith?

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 14:22 – In His Presence

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Will

The faith that you have, have it to yourself before God. Blessed is the person who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

Truth to Learn

Living in God’s presence affects our decisions and choices.

Behind the Words

The word translated “faith” is pistis, which means “that about which we have been persuaded” or “that which we believe.”

“Before” is translated from enōpion. This is made up of en, meaning “in” and a form of ops, which literally refers to the eyes but figuratively refers to the face. Hence, enōpion means “in the face of, in the presence of, or before.”

The word “blessed” is translated from the Greek word makarios. Some translations us the word “happy.” The problem with this translation is that happy (from the root hap meaning “luck as a favorable circumstance”) actually refers to the joy that comes from good fortune. Makarios, on the other hand, refers to a state of blessedness in which peace and satisfaction come from God, not favorable circumstances.

Meaning Explained

Now Paul tells us how to discern whether or not we should do something. This is of extreme importance as it applies to all those things which are not specifically identified as wrong in the New Testament. This would include such things as: Should I accept an offer for a new job? Should I buy a particular house or a new car at this time? Is it okay if I drink a glass of wine? None of these things are strictly forbidden and we are not likely to hear the voice of God giving us direct revelation regarding these things.

Since Paul is talking to believers, he knows that they have faith. But how that faith is demonstrated is important. He says, “Have it to yourself before God.” That is, since you are saved and have a relationship with God, make it a personal relationship. Believe what you believe because God has convicted you and converse with God about everything you do, especially those things about which specific direction is not given in the Bible. Live your life in His presence. That is, live your life with the awareness that God is present with you at all times.

Finally, Paul tells us that we are blessed, that is, at peace with God, when we do not condemn ourselves for those things which we approve. There are many decisions that we make daily. When we follow through with a personal decision we are “approving” the decision and acting on it. Blessing, or peace with God, comes when we are not judging our own actions to be wrong in the presence of God. As the Apostle John said:

Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God. (I John 3:21)

We Christians should live our lives recognizing that we are always in God’s presence. As His servants we are to obey him. As His children we should want to please Him, so we should make our decisions in a manner that will please Him. If what we are about to do is wrong, He will let us know because our conscience will be troubled. Paul will finish these thoughts in the next verse.

Application

Are you living your life in the presence of God? Doing so will have an impact on how you live your life. Remember, ignoring God doesn’t mean you aren’t in His presence!

Romans 14:21 – Good For Whom?

Posted on December 10, 2018 by Will

It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.

Truth to Learn

Consider the good of others more important than your own.

Behind the Words

The word translated “good” is a form of kalos, which means “good as to quality or character.”

“Stumbles” is translated from the Greek verb proskoptō, which we have seen a couple of times recently. It means to “to stub on” or “to trip up.”

The word “offended” is translated from the verb scandalidzō, the noun form of which we have also talked about recently. This word means, “to entrap” or “to entice to sin.”

“Is made weak” is from the Greek verb astheneo, which means “to be weak or sickly.”

Meaning Explained

Now Paul summarizes what he has been saying in the past few verses. Since it is a summary of his instruction, let’s look carefully at what he does and what he doesn’t say. First of all Paul says that “It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything …” So what he is saying is that these things are not good for us to do.

Now, notice that there are qualifications to those things which are not good for us to do. The first qualification is, “by which your brother stumbles.” If your drinking wine or eating a certain kind of food causes your brother to stumble in his walk with God, then it is not a good thing for you to do.

The second qualification is, “or is offended.” We should not do anything that will lead a brother or sister to act contrary to his or her own convictions. If we know that other Christians are convicted that eating certain foods is wrong, we should not eat those types of food in their presence or try to convince them that it is OK for them. To them it is a spiritual conviction and it is up to God to convince them otherwise (if their conviction is wrong). Because of the translation of scandalidzō as “offended,” we may be inclined to read this verse as if it said, “it is good not to eat meat, nor to drink wine, nor anything that your brother takes offense at, or disagrees with.” Just because a brother or sister considers wrong something which our own conscience allows doesn’t mean we stop doing it. But by the same token we don’t argue with them about it, we don’t force them to do it, and we don’t flaunt it in front of them.

The third qualification is, “or is made weak.” Again, we see that our actions could cause the faith of a brother or sister to be negatively affected because of his or her convictions. So, how do we know what we should do and what we shouldn’t do when it comes to spiritual convictions that we hold different from our brother or sister in Christ? Paul will answer that question in the following two verses.

Application

There is a fine line between what Paul is teaching here and situational ethics. Situational ethics says that something may be wrong to do in one situation but not wrong in another. What Paul is teaching is that it is always wrong to consider your own needs more important than a fellow Christian. The bottom line is that we should do those things that build-up other Christians and we should avoid those things which will cause other Christians harm. If we always consider the good of others more important than our own, God will be pleased with our actions.

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 14:20 – Construction, Not Demolition

Posted on December 7, 2018 by Will

Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes another to stumble.

Truth to Learn

We are supposed to build-up the church, not tear it down.

Behind the Words

The word “destroy” is translated from the Greek verb kataluō. This word is made up of kata, meaning “down” and luō, which means “to let loose” or “to release.” Hence, we see that kataluō literally means “to loose down” or “to tear down.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood indicating a command and it is expressed in the present tense. We could paraphrase the opening phrase of this verse as, “Do not right now be destroying the work of God for the sake of food!”

“Wrong” is translated from the Greek word kakos, which literally means “evil” or “worthless.”

“Stumble” is from proskomma, which, as we learned a few verses back, figuratively refers to “something that someone stubs their toe on or trips over.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we learned that we are to edify, or build up, one another. Paul has previously used the metaphor of a building with reference to the church. In the previous verse when he said that we need to pursue those things which edify one another, he was referring to us building up the church, the body of Christ (with gold, silver, and precious stone).

Paul now says that we shouldn’t tear down the work of God for the sake of food. When we compare “building up” from the previous verse with “tear down” in the current verse, we see that in each case Paul is talking about the temple of God. No, not a physical building, but the body of Christ. In speaking to the Church in Corinth, Paul said:

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1Corinthians 3:16)

The words “you are” are expressed in the second person plural in the Greek text. So Paul is saying, “Don’t you know that you (plural) are the temple (singular) of God?” In other words, the Church, the body of Christ, is the temple of God. It is this temple that we are to build up, not tear down.

We should pursue those things which build up God’s temple (the body of Christ), but our insistence on sticking to our stance regarding food (or days of the week) will actually tear down the church which is God’s work. Clearly, that’s not something for which crowns are going to be given at the bema seat, is it?

In fact, I think that’s the point Paul is making in the second half of this verse. He says that “All things indeed are pure, but it is wrong (or worthless) for the man to eat anything that causes another to stumble.” He has just told us to build up the church not to tear it down, and now he says that if by eating (or doing anything else which our conscience allows) we cause a brother or sister to stumble, we are destroying the temple of God, and it is a worthless work (like wood, hay or straw).

Application

When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ we all want to receive rewards for having built up the body of Christ with valuable works, but our selfish stubbornness can result in tearing down the temple instead of building it up. Are you in the construction business or the demolition business?

Let me repeat that, “Are you in the construction business or the demolition business?”

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 14:19 – Self Denial

Posted on December 6, 2018 by Will

Therefore we should pursue the things of peace and the things by which we build up one another.

Truth to Learn

We must deny ourselves in order to serve God and others.

Behind the Words

Just as in verse twelve, Paul starts off this verse with ara oun, which means “so in conclusion.”

Some translations start this verse out with “Let us pursue.” This is translated from diōkō, which means “to pursue” in a good sense and “to persecute” in a bad sense. It means “to constantly go after something.” The presence of “let” in the English makes it sound like a command (imperative mood) but it is expressed in the subjunctive mood. So it is more accurately translated “Therefore we should pursue …”

The word translated “build up” is oikodomē, which refers to “the process of building something.”

Meaning Explained

Since his previous conclusion (verses fourteen and fifteen), Paul has told us, “If you insist on having your own way, you may cause your brother to stumble, you will not be walking according to love, what you consider good will be spoken evil of, you will not be pursuing God’s glory, and you will not please God or man.” “In conclusion,” he says, “instead of all that, we should pursue the things that produce peace and that build-up one another.”

What Paul has had to say to us in these past five verses seems a bit harsh, especially when you consider that we all have times when our sin nature takes over and controls our thoughts and actions. But even the best of Christians has these spiritual ups and downs. I was reminded recently about the Apostle Peter’s interactions with Jesus in Matthew chapter sixteen. When Jesus asks the disciples who people say He is, they respond with, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." (Matthew 16:14)

But when He asks the disciples who they say He is, Peter is quick to reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." In response, Jesus proclaims Peter to be blessed.

A short time later, Jesus begins to explain to his disciples that He must suffer many things, be killed, and be raised from the dead. Upon hearing this, Peter takes the Lord aside and begins to rebuke Him. (I’m sure none of us has ever yelled at God, have we?) J At this point our Lord says to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an offense to me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." (Matthew 16:23)

Imagine having the Son of God say that you are an offense to Him! Then Jesus says to them all, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

That’s precisely what Paul has been teaching us in this passage of Scripture. We need to deny self and treat other Christians and our Lord as more important than we are.

Application

Once again, we see that a close walk with our God is largely a matter of where our focus it. If we are focused on ourselves and seeking to satisfy our own desires, we will stray from God because we aren’t watching where we’re going. But if our focus is on Him, then we will be following in His footsteps, and serving God and fellow Christians becomes our constant objective. Is it time for another focus check?

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 14:18 – Becoming God Pleasers

Posted on December 5, 2018 by Will

For he who is serving Christ in these things is well pleasing to God and approved by men.

Truth to Learn

Serving Christ pleases God and gains the respect of others.

Behind the Words

The expression “in these things” is from the Greek en toutois, most likely referring to “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Some Greek texts have en toutō (in this), however the meaning is essentially the same (in this three-fold description of kingdom living; righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit).

“Serving” is translated from douleuō, which is the verb form of the noun doulos, meaning “a bond slave whose will is completely submitted to his master/owner.”

The adjective “well pleasing” is translated from euarestos, made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and areskō, meaning “to please” or “to be agreeable.” Thus, euarestos literally means “well pleasing.” I prefer this translation over “acceptable” because it shows us that it’s not simply okay with God, but that He really likes it.

“Approved” is from dokimos, which is based on the verb dokimadzō, meaning “to test something to ascertain its worth.”

Meaning Explained

The three characteristics of the kingdom of God spoken of in the previous verse are seen by some as a comprehensive division of true living Christianity. The first, righteousness, is a description of our standing with God (He sees us as having the righteousness of Christ). The second, peace, is a description of our relationship with others (especially other Christians). And joy in the Holy Spirit is a description of how others see us (full of calm delight) when we are completely submitted to God.

In verse thirteen of this chapter Paul told us that serving others is more important than serving ourselves. If you go back to the Ten Commandments given to Moses, you will notice that serving others instead of self, fulfills the second table of the Law (Commandments seven through ten). The point that Paul is making in the current verse is that serving God is more important than serving self. That fulfills the first table of the Law (Commandments one through six). We’re told that limiting our own freedoms based on what might cause a fellow Christian to stumble is an act of serving Christ (being His bond slave) and this is “well pleasing to God.”

Paul then goes on to say that not only does it greatly please God when we sacrifice our own desires in favor of those of our brothers or sisters, but this kind of action is “approved by men.” Those who see your behavior for what it really is will think it a worthy or noble thing that you have done.

We are not supposed to do things just to impress others, but this is one of those cases where if we are applying ourselves to pleasing God, we will also receive recognition from others for our good deeds.

Application

We would all like to be the kind of person who pleases our Heavenly Father and who receives recognition from others for our unselfish lifestyle. Unfortunately, we still have a sin nature which draws us back to our selfish ways. Through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit, however, we can become the kind of Christian we want to be.

Let’s pray!

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 14:17 – Calm Delight

Posted on December 4, 2018 by Will

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Truth to Learn

Building up the body of Christ creates a sense of calm delight.

Behind the Words

“Eating” is from the Greek noun brōsis, which is derived from the same root as brōma (food) which we saw in verse fifteen. Brōsis refers to the act of eating and by extension it refers to the food being eaten.

“Drinking” is from posis, which refers to the act of drinking and by extension to the drink itself.

The word translated “righteousness” is dikaiosunē, which refers to the character or quality of being righteous (always doing what is right) or just (guided by truth and fairness). It is a state of being in which God charges no blame because either there is no wrong to be blamed or the wrong has already been paid for and done away with.

“Peace” is translated from eirēnē, which can mean “a state of tranquility” or “the absence of war or the threat of war.”

The word translated “joy” is charis. This word does not refer to “excitement and jubilation.” It refers to “gladness and calm delight.”

Meaning Explained

There are several uses of the term “the kingdom of God” in the New Testament. In some places it refers to the heavenly kingdom that will exist in the new heavens and the new earth after the current heavens and earth have been destroyed. In other places it refers to the earthly kingdom that will be in place during the Millennium, with Christ on the throne in Jerusalem. And in still others it refers to the spiritual kingdom that exists here and now, where Christ is reigning in the hearts of Christians. Although Paul’s use of the term here could refer to any or all of these meanings, it appears that Paul is talking about the spiritual kingdom that exists today of which all Christians are members.

Even though eating and drinking are necessary for our earthly existence, these are not the things that are really important in our spiritual existence. In Matthew 4:4 Christ, Himself, when tempted to create bread from the rocks after having not eaten for 40 days in the wilderness, told Satan,

It is written, “Man will not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God."

The kingdom of God to which we belong today is not centered in the physical world, but in the spiritual world. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father and our daily walk with Him are neither enhanced nor depreciated by what we do or don’t eat or by whether we treat one day as sacred above the others or not. Instead, our focus should be on the spiritual body of Christ by treating each other with righteousness (doing what is right), being at peace with other Christians, and creating conditions that make for joy among all Christians.

Application

Instead of arguing about what foods we can and can’t eat or getting hung-up on how others treat “the Lord’s day,” let’s do what we can to help nurture and grow the body of Christ, the church. By doing so, instead of strife and contention we can all experience a sense of peace and calm delight even in the midst of a world that is filled with evil.

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 14:16 – The Right Thing?

Posted on December 3, 2018 by Will

Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil;

Truth to Learn

Sometimes doing “the right thing” can cause harm to others.

Behind the Words

“Good” is translated from agathos, meaning “benevolent, profitable, or useful.” There is another Greek word translated “good.” It is kalos, which refers to the intrinsic character or quality of goodness. Agathos, however, is often used to express the quality of actions or deeds.

The words “spoken of as evil” are translated from the verb blasphēmeō. The noun form, blasphēmia, is the source of our English word “blasphemy.” The verb is made up of a form of blaptō, meaning “to hinder” or “to injure” and phēmē, meaning “a saying” or “a rumor.” Hence, blasphēmeō means “to say something injurious about someone else.”

Meaning Explained

By “your good” in this verse Paul is referring to the things that your conscience and the Spirit of God allow you to do. Paul has already told us that nothing is unclean in and of itself. As long as it is not something specifically forbidden in the New Testament (like getting drunk or eating that which you know has been offered to idols) and you have a clear conscience toward God about doing it, then it is okay. But if that “right thing,” which your conscience and the Spirit of God allow you to do, causes your brother or sister to stumble in their own Christian walk, then you need to reconsider whether it is really “the right thing” after all.

The principle here is that the welfare of your brothers and sisters is more important than your own satisfaction. In fact, that’s exactly what Paul told the church at Philippi:

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility let each consider others better than himself. Let each of you consider not only his own interests, but also the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

The example that Paul used in this case was Jesus Christ. Even though He is divine, that is, part of the godhead (He is God), He lowered himself and took on the form of a man and offered up His perfect life and His righteousness so that we might be saved and be given the righteousness that He alone deserves. And Paul said a very similar thing to the Corinthians:

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are beneficial; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of others. (1Corinthians 10:23-24)

If we are constantly striving to strengthen and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ and we are seeking to please God our Father, then we will not be very focused on what we want for ourselves. When we are focused only on ourselves, however, even the good things that we see as permissible can end up causing trouble for others.

Application

Let’s all consider how our actions can affect the spiritual lives of other Christians. Are we so determined to do “the right things,” that we don’t care if they cause other Christians to stumble? Wouldn’t it be better to abstain from a permissible practice than to cause harm to a brother or sister in Christ?

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 14:15 – Spiritual Body Building

Posted on November 30, 2018 by Will

For if your brother is grieved because of what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.

Truth to Learn

We should all build up other members of the body of Christ.

Behind the Words

The word translated “grieved” is the Greek word lupeō. This is the verb form of the noun lupē, meaning “sorrow.” Thus, lupeō, means “to make sad or sorrowful or to cause someone to grieve.” It is expressed here in the passive voice.

“Food” is from the Greek noun brōma, which refers to “food which is chewed such as meat or vegetables as opposed to a drink which is not chewed.”

Meaning Explained

Paul now turns to the Gentile converts in the Christian church in Rome. He previously warned the Jewish converts not to judge others for eating food that the Jewish converts still believed was forbidden. Now he tells those who believe all foods are permissible not to intentionally eat food that they know will grieve their brothers who think certain foods are still forbidden.

Apparently, there were those former Gentiles in the church at Rome who still held the Jewish converts in distain. Knowing that the former Jews in the church would be grieved to see them eating supposedly “forbidden” food, they intentionally ate those foods and made it known to the Jewish converts. Paul admonishes them that this is not behaving in a loving manner. In fact, the Jewish converts were behaving in a more loving manner when they were grieving for those who ate this supposed forbidden food, for it was out of love for their brothers that they were grieved. There is a roughly parallel passage to this in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians:

Food will not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we better, nor if we do not eat are we worse. But be careful lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brothers, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if meat makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. (1 Corinthians 8:8-13)

If you have a conviction from God about something, don’t force that conviction on your brother or sister; instead, let God deal with them in His own manner and time. And if you know that your brother has a conviction from God about something, don’t flaunt your lack of conviction in that area in your brother’s presence. That’s just downright mean. We should be an example to our brothers and sisters to strengthen them. We should not do anything to make them weaker!

Application

No one in their right mind will cause harm to part of his or her own body; that would cause the whole body to suffer. Likewise, a Christian should never do anything which will cause the body of Christ to suffer. If we truly love one another, we will do all we can to build up the body of Christ.

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 14:14 – Personally Forbidden

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Will

I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

Truth to Learn

What God forbids for me He may not forbid for you.

Behind the Words

“Know” is from the Greek verb eidō, which primarily means “to see.” However, it does not mean to simply to have a visual experience (that would be the Greek verb blepō), but to see with perception. Thus, eidō refers to the visual perception as well as the mental perception (understanding) of some truth or fact.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense which, in Greek, refers to completed action with a resulting state of being where the emphasis is on the resulting state of being.

The word translated “persuaded” is peithō, which means “to be persuaded or to be convinced.” This verb is also expressed in the perfect tense. So what Paul is saying is, “I have perceived and have been persuaded; therefore, I know and am convinced.”

“Unclean” is from the Greek adjective koinos, which means “that which is available to all” or “common.” Those things which were forbidden by the Law of Moses were available to the “common” people. Therefore, calling something “common” was the same as declaring it as “unclean” or “forbidden by the Law.”

The word “considers” is translated from logidzomai, which means “to reason, to impute, or to consider.”

Meaning Explained

Paul now gets back to the original topic with which he started off this chapter: whether we should abstain from certain foods or not. He begins this verse by making a strong statement of conviction. He says, “I know and am convinced.” So, what is Paul so convinced about? He is convinced that “there is nothing unclean of itself.” The law abiding Jews were forbidden from eating certain foods, which all the rest of mankind were allowed to eat. Since all the common (non-Jewish) people ate this forbidden food it was referred to as common food meaning unclean or forbidden food. But, Paul is now saying that he is convinced that nothing is unclean, or forbidden, in and of itself.

He begins the next phrase with the Greek words ei me, which mean “except, unless, or but.” His teaching, therefore, is that even though nothing is unclean in and of itself, if a brother or sister is convicted by God that a certain food or activity is unclean then to him or her it is indeed unclean.

When I was first saved I liked to play pool, a lot! In fact, I spent nearly every waking moment at the pool table. God convicted me about the fact that pool had become more important to me than a relationship with Him. For me, playing pool was unclean, and I had to completely abstain from it in order to learn to get my focus on God. Many years later, after my walk with God had matured, I found that it was no longer wrong for me to play pool. God used this in my life to demonstrate how important it is not to let anything get in the way of my close walk with Him.

Application

Is there something in your life today that is unclean? Something which has come between you and a close fellowship with God? What are you going to do about it?

In God's service, for His glory,