Slices
Prepare
As you open today’s passage, open your heart both to the Lord and to the needs of others.
Bible passage
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling-block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
Explore
Seeing things in their right perspective can sometimes be difficult in Christian circles. Big things can get ignored and small things can become huge. In Rome, it may have been the case (though we are not told the details) that some Jewish Christians were still only comfortable eating meat according to the strict Jewish way, and they found it deeply upsetting to their faith that Gentile followers of their Messiah would eat any meat cooked anyhow. Was this a big matter? Yes, to those Jews! But to those Gentiles? No, they carried on regardless.
Paul’s view on it (and God’s) is different. Something we regard as minor is a major thing if it builds up, or trips up, someone else’s faith (vs 13,15). Our molehill can be another person’s mountain. What we eat and drink in themselves are clearly not as important as doing right and pursuing peace (v 17). Yet if our choices in these mundane matters affect the exercise of someone’s faith and conscience, they can become very significant.
Avoiding, say, a meal once associated with paganism, or a glass of alcohol, because of someone else’s weakness or sensibility, may be very constructive and supportive (vs 19,21). Things that build up another’s faith and encourage unity are big things.
Respond
How well do you know your conscience? Is it sensitive enough? Or too sensitive? Do you listen to it? Thank God for it.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Job 15–17; Psalms 83,84
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray for Faith Guides planning to use Half Time, a new SU sports-themed video series which helps young people to explore Mark’s Gospel, in the new school year. Find out more at www.su.org.uk/halftime. (This week's prayers relate to this story in Connecting You.)
