“Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”~ Rom. 14:5
Speaking of questionable things in the Saint's life, opposites can both be right. There are groups of Christians who do not believe this. One has to be wrong; both cannot be right. Contrary to the teaching of some, the Bible is not always black and white, when speaking of what a Christian may or may not do. Many areas are shaded grey. I don’t know why this is—possibly God wanted each of us to enjoy life according to our individual taste and temperament. And, just maybe, He wanted to see our attitude toward a brother who does not do things like we do.
As the little tract says, “Others can you cannot.” And may I add, “You can, others can’t.”
Romans fourteen (familiarize yourself with it) is a classic example of how opposites can both be right. Paul discusses three basic areas of controversy in the early Church that still exist today. In verse two, he covers the issue of diet (pork or vegetables); is one to eat or not to eat? In verse five, it is days ( our Christmas for example, etc); is one to recognize or not recognize? And, in verse twenty-one, it is drink; the question is whether to drink or not to drink wine (grape juice was not an issue). Then, in the same verse, he gives us an underlying principle for all we do or allow in our lives.
There are three types of believers in this enlightening chapter: There is the legalist (weak brother), who judges the mature Believer who enjoy their liberty. But those who exercise liberty (strong brother) despise those who are legalists (see verse 6). The spiritual man, however, is the one who understands that the strong need to grow in love, and the weak need to grow in knowledge. The weak must learn from the strong and the strong must love the weak.
There is the legalist that judges, the libertarian who despises, and the lover of good men, who embrace both.
Richard Sandlin <diclvsal61@gmail.com>Sun, Feb 7, 12:22 PM (12 days ago)Replyto me
You can support us here, by using this address, diclvsal61[at]gmail[dot]com.
If you’d like the Biblical insight to the issues of our day my son Andrew’s link is here.