Sunday, March 27, 2016

Shalom,

I know that this will be a little long, but today I want to share ALL of Romans 14. I have witnessed, and been the brunt of myself, SO many people who have made it their life's work to correct every single person they come in contact with who may believe something slightly different than what they themselves believe! THIS, if acted on, should put a stop to that! 
14 As for the man who is a weak believer, welcome him [into your fellowship], but not to criticize his opinions or pass judgment on his scruples or perplex him with discussions. One [man’s faith permits him to] believe he may eat anything, while a weaker one [limits his] eating to vegetables. Let not him who eats look down on or despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains criticize and pass judgment on him who eats; for God has accepted and welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on and censure another’s household servant? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he shall stand and be upheld, for the Master (the Lord) is mighty to support him and make him stand. One man esteems one day as better than another, while another man esteems all days alike [sacred]. Let everyone be fully convinced (satisfied) in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. He also who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; while he who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. None of us lives to himself [but to the Lord], and none of us dies to himself [but to the Lord, for] If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or we die, we belong to the Lord. For Christ died and lived again for this very purpose, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10 Why do you criticize and pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you look down upon or despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God [acknowledge Him to His honor and to His praise]. 12 And so each of us shall give an account of himself [give an answer in reference to judgment] to God. 13 Then let us no more criticize and blame and pass judgment on one another, but rather decide and endeavor never to put a stumbling block or an obstacle or a hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am convinced (persuaded) as one in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is [forbidden as] essentially unclean (defiled and unholy in itself). But [none the less] it is unclean (defiled and unholy) to anyone who thinks it is unclean. 15 But if your brother is being pained or his feelings hurt or if he is being injured by what you eat, [then] you are no longer walking in love. [You have ceased to be living and conducting yourself by the standard of love toward him.] Do not let what you eat hurt or cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died! 16 Do not therefore let what seems good to you be considered an evil thing [by someone else]. [In other words, do not give occasion for others to criticize that which is justifiable for you.] 17 [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. 18 He who serves Christ in this way is acceptable and pleasing to God and is approved by men. 19 So let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual upbuilding (edification and development) of one another. 20 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. 21 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. 22 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]. 23 But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating, and then eats [perhaps because of you], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith. For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].

There is not one person living on the earth today who has a CLEAR picture of all there is to know! 1 Corinthians 13:12:

12 For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God].

So, the lesson is for each one of us to live out the Word that WE know, all the while praying and interceding for others to come to the full knowledge of the Word and to walk in all of the fullness of our Covenant with Him! We also must keep open for the correction OF THE LORD as it pertains to His Word, so that we can become progressively more like HIM! In fact, Paul said THIS in 1 Corinthians 2:2:

For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified.

The next time someone tries to sway you to their own way of thinking when it comes to the Word of God, simply trust Holy Spirit to give you a way out of that conversation. Refuse to get caught up in those very unwise discussions! Why are they "unwise"? Because there is NO answer to them on this side of Heaven! We will NOT know and understand everything their is to know and understand until after the Church is carried away as His Bride! NOW is the time to join together in faith praying, interceding, sharing the Gospel and TELLING of His wondrous works! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "Face To Face":


[Verse 1]
I remember when I called Your name
There I knew I'd never be the same
Love came rushing to this heart of mine
Like You waited for this all my life
I remember when I learned to pray
Close to You I find my hiding place
And Your Spirit looks within my soul
And Your presence keeps me wanting more\
[Verse 2]
When I think upon your wounded hands

And how you begun a great romance

I will take your bread and take your wine

To remember what you sacrificed

Now I'm serving for Your kingdom come

Where You're leading me is where I'll run
Jesus I can be your hands and feet
And let my life remember You my King
I need You more than anything
[Bridge]
Lord here I am
I'm reaching out
I will lay me down and surrender
I'll sing Your name
I'll sing it loud
You are all I want, now forever
(2x)
Lord here I am
[Verse 3]
And the day shall come when I will rise
Finally I'll see you face to face
With the heavens I will glorify
Crown You Lord for eternity


Shalom in Him!