Joy in the Holy Spirit

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Receive the Holy Spirit

Romans 14:13-21The Message

^13-14 Forget about deciding what’s right for each other. Here’s what you need to be concerned about: that you don’t get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is. I’m convinced—Jesus convinced me!—that everything as it is in itself is holy. We, of course, by the way we treat it or talk about it, can contaminate it.
^15-16 If you confuse others by making a big issue over what they eat or don’t eat, you’re no longer a companion with them in love, are you? These, remember, are persons for whom Christ died. Would you risk sending them to hell over an item in their diet? Don’t you dare let a piece of God-blessed food become an occasion of soul-poisoning!
^17-18 God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you’ll kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around you.
^19-21 So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault. You’re certainly not going to permit an argument over what is served or not served at supper to wreck God’s work among you, are you? I said it before and I’ll say it again: All food is good, but it can turn bad if you use it badly, if you use it to trip others up and send them sprawling. When you sit down to a meal, your primary concern should not be to feed your own face but to share the life of Jesus. So be sensitive and courteous to the others who are eating. Don’t eat or say or do things that might interfere with the free exchange of love.

 

For Reflection

 We are plagued with correctness.  Being right sometimes seems more important than leading others to the Christian life.  The Christian life is not about being correct.  The Christian life is about the free exchange of love.  Love moderates rules.

Every era has a culture that needs interpretation.  The Christ event and Jesus have shown us how to love unconditionally and how to divide the cultural rules from faith in God.  How are you doing?

Pray

for forgiveness when your faith sets you squarely in a dilemma.  Pray prayers of thanksgiving that God does not demand perfection, just our very best tries.  Pray for the grace of God to guide you.