fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383 
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Post by fearnot on Jan 13, 2021 14:04:59 GMT -5
What does the author mean by this?
“Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,
but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,”
Romans 14:16,17
I think first of all, we need to realize that,
in the churches way back then,
as today,
there are some very strong believers
and
some weak ones....
and that could cause some
misunderstandings, confusion, hurts, and conflicts, etc.
Even today there are religions, cults etc.
that put a lot of focus on what a person cannot eat
For example:
In Islam and the Jewish religion
eating pork is a sin.
Actually, the 7th day Adventists people also are against eating pork...
and some 7th day people would say,
eat no meat at all...
claiming one ought to be only a vegetarian.
The same goes for what we drink, look at, dress, wear our hair etc.
On the other hand,
although a Christian has 'freedom',
they are not to use it as an excuse to
actually sin.
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers.
Only do not use your freedom
as an opportunity for the flesh,
but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13
Some of the issues,
are just a matter of 'personal preference'
and yet,
some people would insist,
that all the other people in the church,
would have to adopt their
personal preferences.....
or be considered sinning.
On the other hand,
some 'personal preferences'
would be in fact,
actual sin
that has not been dealt with.
16 Live as people who are free,
not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil,
but living as servants of God.
1 Peter 2:16
However, the strong believer
who know he would not be sinning
if he ate a certain food, etc.
Does not have to do so,
IF he knows he will cause great upset
to the weak believer.
9 But take care that this right of yours
does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
1 Corinthians 8:9
To restrain oneself is this manner is an act of love, and a type of sacrifice.
we ought not put our self, above our weaker brother or sister
because the Kingdom of God
is not about me getting to eat whatever I want etc.
23 “All things are lawful,”
but not all things are helpful.
“All things are lawful,”
but not all things build up.
1 Corinthians 10:23
Of course, when that verse says
all things are lawful
( that would refer to what we eat etc.)
However, it does NOT mean SIN is lawful!!!
Done for Today
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jan 14, 2021 11:03:20 GMT -5
I was not quite finished looking and studying these verses yesterday.
16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking
but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:16,17
Usually in a church, there are people who were just recently saved
and also, those who are strong Christians.
many of the strong Christians have been in the faith
a long time...
Although, of course, some could be 'strong in the faith',
even as a new believers....
but in general,
that is not usually the case.
Often, some of the new believers,
have come out of some other 'religion, or cult etc.
Frequently, those other religions, cults etc.
had a lot of
'rituals',
ceremonies,
traditions,
taboos
legalistic restrictions
etc.
The strong Christians know they are not bound to such
restrictions,
constraints,
regulations,
stipulations
etc.
14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus
that nothing is unclean in itself,
but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.
Romans 14:14
So some times,
the new believers often cannot
so easily give up years of habits etc.
This is NOT about 'freedom to sin, however:
15 What then?
Are we to sin
because we are not under law
but under grace?
By no means!
Romans 6:15
But there are many things, that are not sinful,
that are morally and spiritually neutral....
They are things that believers are 'free' to eat or do.
However......
those things may offend new believers.....
And since we want to build the new believers up in the faith,
it is the stronger believer,
who out of love
can sacrifice some small pleasure...
( like eating a pork chop, while around them,
at least for a time).
The KJV says this:
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:22
I think that could mean to avoid
especially around a weak baby Christian
anything they might perceive as sin,
which, in fact ,is not a sin according to God.
This does not mean we have to be a slave
to what others 'think',
or what their perception
of sin or evil might be.
However, as far a a new believer in Jesus,
(as their Savior and Lord)...
We also do not want to be a 'stumbling block' to them.
9 But take care
that this right of yours
does not somehow become
a stumbling block to the weak.
1 Corinthians 8:9
So I think a lot of discernment and prayer
needs to be considered, in order to avoid unwittingly
causing a weak Christian to have a spiritual setback
or great angst, guilt ,and be grieving
and feeling they have somehow been disobedient to God.
Also, though we don't have to become slaves
to everybody ( believers and non believers)
and whatever 'sins' they imagine....
We also need to be aware the world is watching us.
so if our 'freedom'
would be so blatant,
that it over powers, real true goodness in us...
and so that our Lord is evil spoken of
then to me,
It is a freedom
that is not worth it!
We want to avoid this:
24 For, as it is written,
“The name of God is blasphemed
among the Gentiles because of you.”
Romans 2:24
Also, when we are showing the world,
love for the others in the Christian faith
we are also showing the unbelievers
love is part of being Jesus disciples.
35 By this all people will know
that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.”
John 13:35
Done for Today
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Post by Cindy on Jan 14, 2021 11:13:50 GMT -5
What does the author mean by this?
“Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,
but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,”
Romans 14:16,17
I think first of all, we need to realize that,
in the churches way back then,
as today,
there are some very strong believers
and
some weak ones....
and that could cause some
misunderstandings, confusion, hurts, and conflicts, etc.
Even today there are religions, cults etc.
that put a lot of focus on what a person cannot eat
For example:
In Islam and the Jewish religion
eating pork is a sin.
Actually, the 7th day Adventists people also are against eating pork...
and some 7th day people would say,
eat no meat at all...
claiming one ought to be only a vegetarian.
The same goes for what we drink, look at, dress, wear our hair etc.
On the other hand,
although a Christian has 'freedom',
they are not to use it as an excuse to
actually sin.
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers.
Only do not use your freedom
as an opportunity for the flesh,
but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13
Some of the issues,
are just a matter of 'personal preference'
and yet,
some people would insist,
that all the other people in the church,
would have to adopt their
personal preferences.....
or be considered sinning.
On the other hand,
some 'personal preferences'
would be in fact,
actual sin
that has not been dealt with.
16 Live as people who are free,
not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil,
but living as servants of God.
1 Peter 2:16
However, the strong believer
who know he would not be sinning
if he ate a certain food, etc.
Does not have to do so,
IF he knows he will cause great upset
to the weak believer.
9 But take care that this right of yours
does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
1 Corinthians 8:9
To restrain oneself is this manner is an act of love, and a type of sacrifice.
we ought not put our self, above our weaker brother or sister
because the Kingdom of God
is not about me getting to eat whatever I want etc.
23 “All things are lawful,”
but not all things are helpful.
“All things are lawful,”
but not all things build up.
1 Corinthians 10:23
Of course, when that verse says
all things are lawful
( that would refer to what we eat etc.)
However, it does NOT mean SIN is lawful!!!
Done for Today
Another group which has in many cases turned into a cult, is the Hebrew Roots movement.
Many of them are trying to obey the food laws again! (talk about coming around full circle!)
But let me post that scripture here so I have it as a reference too: “Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,” (Romans 14:16–17)
I find the first part of this passage to be the one that many people are unsure about. The question I hear a lot is:
How can you not allow what you consider good, to be spoken of as evil, if you're purposely sacrificing what you think is good and not eating it, because someone else thinks it's bad (evil)?
The other question I've heard is: What is the "good thing" that He's speaking of? This is usually from the NASB reading of the first part of the passage: NASB95 “Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:16–17)
I'll leave those for further thought if you'd like to take them on. If you don't want to, that's ok. Just let me know and I'll do it, ok? 
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jan 14, 2021 12:33:16 GMT -5
I am re-posting today's study
because it was above your reply for yesterday....
I did 'kind of'
answer one of your questions people often ask....
it's more near the bottom of today's study....
I sort of worked on the 2nd verse (#17) first LOL
and then the first (#16)
I will look at what else you suggested tomorrow.
Here is today's though:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was not quite finished looking and studying these verses yesterday.
16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking
but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:16,17
Usually in a church, there are people who were just recently saved
and also, those who are strong Christians.
many of the strong Christians have been in the faith
a long time...
Although, of course, some could be 'strong in the faith',
even as a new believers....
but in general,
that is not usually the case.
Often, some of the new believers,
have come out of some other 'religion, or cult etc.
Frequently, those other religions, cults etc.
had a lot of
'rituals',
ceremonies,
traditions,
taboos
legalistic restrictions
etc.
The strong Christians know they are not bound to such
restrictions,
constraints,
regulations,
stipulations
etc.
14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus
that nothing is unclean in itself,
but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.
Romans 14:14
So some times,
the new believers often cannot
so easily give up years of habits etc.
This is NOT about 'freedom to sin, however:
15 What then?
Are we to sin
because we are not under law
but under grace?
By no means!
Romans 6:15
But there are many things, that are not sinful,
that are morally and spiritually neutral....
They are things that believers are 'free' to eat or do.
However......
those things may offend new believers.....
And since we want to build the new believers up in the faith,
it is the stronger believer,
who out of love
can sacrifice some small pleasure...
( like eating a pork chop, while around them,
at least for a time).
The KJV says this:
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:22
I think that could mean to avoid
especially around a weak baby Christian
anything they might perceive as sin,
which, in fact ,is not a sin according to God.
This does not mean we have to be a slave
to what others 'think',
or what their perception
of sin or evil might be.
However, as far a a new believer in Jesus,
(as their Savior and Lord)...
We also do not want to be a 'stumbling block' to them.
9 But take care
that this right of yours
does not somehow become
a stumbling block to the weak.
1 Corinthians 8:9
So I think a lot of discernment and prayer
needs to be considered, in order to avoid unwittingly
causing a weak Christian to have a spiritual setback
or great angst, guilt ,and be grieving
and feeling they have somehow been disobedient to God.
Also, though we don't have to become slaves
to everybody ( believers and non believers)
and whatever 'sins' they imagine....
We also need to be aware the world is watching us.
so if our 'freedom'
would be so blatant,
that it over powers, real true goodness in us...
and so that our Lord is evil spoken of
then to me,
It is a freedom
that is not worth it!
We want to avoid this:
24 For, as it is written,
“The name of God is blasphemed
among the Gentiles because of you.”
Romans 2:24
Also, when we are showing the world,
love for the others in the Christian faith
we are also showing the unbelievers
love is part of being Jesus disciples.
35 By this all people will know
that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.”
John 13:35
Done for Today
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|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jan 15, 2021 11:27:31 GMT -5
I 'think' I 'pretty much' maybe answered the two questions you posted?
If not I can come back...but I think I will move on
Unless you set up stricter limits,
I tend to scamper off
and onto the 'new'.
perhaps faster, than you prefer.... :(
Anyway I thought I would work on
the 2nd half of a question
you posed ( for a Bible study)
In Luke 13:1–5 Jesus speaks about atrocities and accidents.
How should his words be understood
and applied to the events of life today?
I will start a new thread now.....
But at least it is 5 verses
time enough for you to set limits! LOL
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Post by Cindy on Jan 16, 2021 11:40:58 GMT -5
I am re-posting today's study
because it was above your reply for yesterday....
I did 'kind of'
answer one of your questions people often ask....
it's more near the bottom of today's study....
I sort of worked on the 2nd verse (#17) first LOL
and then the first (#16)
I will look at what else you suggested tomorrow.
Here is today's though:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was not quite finished looking and studying these verses yesterday.
16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking
but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:16,17
Usually in a church, there are people who were just recently saved
and also, those who are strong Christians.
many of the strong Christians have been in the faith
a long time...
Although, of course, some could be 'strong in the faith',
even as a new believers....
but in general,
that is not usually the case.
Often, some of the new believers,
have come out of some other 'religion, or cult etc.
Frequently, those other religions, cults etc.
had a lot of
'rituals',
ceremonies,
traditions,
taboos
legalistic restrictions
etc.
The strong Christians know they are not bound to such
restrictions,
constraints,
regulations,
stipulations
etc.
14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus
that nothing is unclean in itself,
but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.
Romans 14:14
So some times,
the new believers often cannot
so easily give up years of habits etc.
This is NOT about 'freedom to sin, however:
15 What then?
Are we to sin
because we are not under law
but under grace?
By no means!
Romans 6:15
But there are many things, that are not sinful,
that are morally and spiritually neutral....
They are things that believers are 'free' to eat or do.
However......
those things may offend new believers.....
And since we want to build the new believers up in the faith,
it is the stronger believer,
who out of love
can sacrifice some small pleasure...
( like eating a pork chop, while around them,
at least for a time).
The KJV says this:
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:22
I think that could mean to avoid
especially around a weak baby Christian
anything they might perceive as sin,
which, in fact ,is not a sin according to God.
This does not mean we have to be a slave
to what others 'think',
or what their perception
of sin or evil might be.
However, as far a a new believer in Jesus,
(as their Savior and Lord)...
We also do not want to be a 'stumbling block' to them.
9 But take care
that this right of yours
does not somehow become
a stumbling block to the weak.
1 Corinthians 8:9
So I think a lot of discernment and prayer
needs to be considered, in order to avoid unwittingly
causing a weak Christian to have a spiritual setback
or great angst, guilt ,and be grieving
and feeling they have somehow been disobedient to God.
Also, though we don't have to become slaves
to everybody ( believers and non believers)
and whatever 'sins' they imagine....
We also need to be aware the world is watching us.
so if our 'freedom'
would be so blatant,
that it over powers, real true goodness in us...
and so that our Lord is evil spoken of
then to me,
It is a freedom
that is not worth it!
We want to avoid this:
24 For, as it is written,
“The name of God is blasphemed
among the Gentiles because of you.”
Romans 2:24
Also, when we are showing the world,
love for the others in the Christian faith
we are also showing the unbelievers
love is part of being Jesus disciples.
35 By this all people will know
that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.”
John 13:35
Done for Today
 Good! Thanks for copying it. As tired as I am I probably wouldn't have seen it!
I 'think' I 'pretty much' maybe answered the two questions you posted?
If not I can come back...but I think I will move on
Unless you set up stricter limits,
I tend to scamper off
and onto the 'new'.
perhaps faster, than you prefer.... :(
Anyway I thought I would work on
the 2nd half of a question
you posed ( for a Bible study)
In Luke 13:1–5 Jesus speaks about atrocities and accidents.
How should his words be understood
and applied to the events of life today?
I will start a new thread now.....
But at least it is 5 verses
time enough for you to set limits! LOL
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jan 16, 2021 12:28:19 GMT -5
I do know what you mean!
I am so sorry you are so tired....
I have been there and done that!
It is not a favorite place ( to me) to be that tired!!!! :(
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Good! Thanks for copying it. As tired as I am I probably wouldn't have seen it!
!!
