Weekly Devotional - November 9

I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him

who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.  15  For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.

Romans 14 14 15

Paul continues to teach the Romans the importance of not placing minor matters on par with major ones. He underscores that everything created by God is inherently good. This principle was made clear by Jesus to Peter in a dream, using the example of food. However, if someone believes that eating meat on Fridays during Lent is unclean, then for that individual, it is indeed unclean. As adopted children of God, we must respect our brothers and sisters who hold these beliefs. Furthermore, we need to exercise great care not to lead them into violating such convictions, as these stem from their dedicated devotion to God. In other words, if person A convinces person B to eat something before they believe it is appropriate, then person A has caused person B to sin in their heart. The same principle applies in reverse. Ultimately, the key message is to avoid elevating minor issues above the more significant ones. The most significant issue is that we are justified before God by His grace alone through Jesus Christ alone.