Private Convictions
"So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God."
On so many occasions we are told to tell others, encourage others, teach others. But on this one, we are told to keep it between us and God. Paul is dealing with the struggle between new Gentile Christians, and new Jewish Christians. They had far different backgrounds, traditions, religious restrictions and rituals and cultures. When the rules they grew up with (rules about what can be eaten, what days are important, etc.) were broken, they would get offended. So Paul says, "All food is clean - but don't eat or drink anything to cause somebody to fall." So in essence he is saying - "Listen, in this area, go ahead and have your conviction - but don't impose that conviction on others - keep it between you and God." In these cases, the only law that really matters is the law of love. The supreme question to ask is "Will this action, this freedom I have, this conviction, potentially cause those I am with to stumble?" If the answer is yes - don't do it. But it doesn't mean you can't still have your conviction, just keep it between yourself and God.
Lord, help me to be so concerned about others that I am willing to forego my own freedoms and even the convictions of my heart about less important things for the sake of love and for the sake of Your purposes. Let me neither be inconsiderate nor judgmental. Amen.
Created 6 months ago
