Immerse: Messiah - Flipbook - Page 211
14:12–15:10
R o ma n s
199
Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause
another believer to stumble and fall.
I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no
food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong,
then for that person it is wrong. And if another believer is distressed by
what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating
ruin someone for whom Christ died. Then you will not be criticized for
doing something you believe is good. For the Kingdom of God is not a
matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace
and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will
please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for
harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
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. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might
cause another believer to stumble. 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.
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.
We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about
things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others
do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live
to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult
you, O God, have fallen on me.” Such things were written in the Scriptures
long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement
as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live
in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ
Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and
glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God
will be given glory. Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to
show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. He also
came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them.
That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote:
“For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing praises to your name.”
And in another place it is written,
