Romans 14:13-23 (the law of love)
What did I hear God say:
A reminder that the law of love requires that my freedom is constrained if it causes distress to my brother.
That no matter how full of faith and conviction I am if it causes distress, doubt or stumbling in my brother I have just caused my brother to sin for whatever is not done fully from faith filled conviction is sin. Love constrains itself so that my brother exercises is fullness of faith. We aren't even to speak of it. (We keep them between God and ourselves. Because in causes others to doubt we condemn ourselves.
"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 14:1, 22 AMP)
"You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right" (Romans 14:22 NLT)
Remember Jesus said, judgement on the one leading someone else to sin or doubt is worse than the judgement of the one who stumbles. (Mark 9:42, Matthew 18:6, Luke 17:1-2) which is why if we speak freely of our faith filled convictions and it causes another brother to doubt or stumble we condemn our own self with our freedom of speech.
Also if you have doubts about something (about whether it is right or wrong) and do it anyway. It indeed becomes sin because it is not done from faith.
When in doubt about if your freedom is okay to exercise the answer is NO do without.
Application - What will be different
I must do all things - even work tasks in faith without doubt. If I have doubts about if what I am doing is not pleasing to God, than indeed it is sin. Resolution/Repentance: Speak of these things with God lean on His Word, seek Him with my whole heart, and follow Him.
REMINDER: We do still have freedom but not at the expense of causing others to fall into temptation or do something that is sin for them, or causes them doubts or shakes their faith or causes worry or distress.
The Kingdom of God: is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit
Seek FIRST (and above all things the Kingdom of God).
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17 NASB)
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17 NLT)
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. (Romans 14:17 AMP)
Prayer:
Holy Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to pray without ceasing today. To allow that constant communion and mediation on your Word to give me direction and clarity on what and how to do things and what and what NOT to speak, even to my fellow Christ followers.
As the sun rises, I recommit to seek you first and as first priority. To me sometimes Kingdom of God is hard to grasp, but Paul simplified it here for me- righteousness, peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit. These things I will seek after with all my being today. Help me Lord for my spirit is willing but indeed my flesh is weak.
Now to You Great God who is able to do more than I can imagine- I give you my love and honor -may you alone be glorified by me today
AMEN
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