A Determination

Hello everyone,

How are you doing? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord. Happppppppppy New Month. Happy birthday to all August born children.

Primary Text

“Therefore, if [my eating a] food is a cause of my brother’s falling or of hindering [his spiritual advancement], I will not eat [such] flesh forever, lest I cause my brother to be tripped up and fall and to be offended.” 1 Corinthians 8v13 (AMP)

In a sense, the above verse is a determination, sort of a conclusion of the matter which is, if what I am doing will cause my brother to fall, or hinder his spiritual advancement, then I will refrain from doing it. Now, that is love, for remember love is not self-seeking. Furthermore, remember this brother or sister is someone that Jesus died for. We need to look out for each other’s spiritual advancement.

Supplementary Text

“[After all] the kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the] food and drink [one likes], but instead it is righteousness (that state which makes a person acceptable to God) and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. He who serves Christ in this way is acceptable and pleasing to God and is approved by men. So let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual upbuilding (edification and development) of one another. You must not, for the sake of food, undo and break down and destroy the work of God! Everything is indeed [ceremonially] clean and pure, but it is wrong for anyone to hurt the conscience of others or to make them fall by what he eats. The right thing is to eat no meat or drink no wine [at all], or [do anything else] if it makes your brother stumble or hurts his conscience or offends or weakens him. Your personal convictions [on such matters] – exercise [them] as in God’s presence, keeping them to yourself [striving only to know the truth and obey His will]. Blessed (happy, to be envied) is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves [who does not convict himself by what he chooses to do].”  Romans 14v17-22 (AMP)

Prayer

Father in heaven, we thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness. Thank You for the body of Christ. Father, we pray again that we would continue to increase in the knowledge of God, and also walk in love towards our fellow brethren. Thank You Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in Jesus name I pray, amen.