Have You Read This???

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food...” (Romans 14:17-20, NIV)

In context, this chapter is specifically talking about the choices people make about “disputable matters”: eating meat versus eating only vegetables, for instance, or whether or not to observe one day as sacred above the others. The entire focus of the chapter is to stop judging each other – and to make the choice not to be an obstacle to a brother or a sister.

I have read this passage many times in my life, but I must confess, until now, I have never really thought about how my eating habits could be an obstacle to someone else. We no longer practice animal sacrifice – and beyond that, I just never thought about it. Maybe someone has struggled or is struggling with addiction. My struggle with an addiction to food could certainly be a stumbling block for that person. My lack of control when it came to food might cause someone else to reason that if it is OK for me, the same lack of control in a different area would be OK for them. Maybe my massive size blocked someone from seeing Jesus at all.

The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking – or a matter of anything temporary. I sure get this backwards sometimes…I treat the temporary things in life as the most important things, and the eternal things as if they were only temporary. God, please forgive me!

On the other hand, if my poor eating habits can become a hindrance to someone, then changing that part of my life can possibly become an encouragement. If I can work through these things – then someone else can do it, too! And I can be a cheerleader for a friend or a family member, the way so many people have been cheerleaders for me. I pray that God will use this journey – and I believe He already it using it.