Becoming A Freedom Fighter Instead of a Food Fighter Romans 14:13-23

“Therefore, let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this--not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.” (v.13) “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.” (v.14) “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.” (v.15) This is when Christians get involved in food fights!

Christian Liberties and Freedoms Foods, days, festivals; music, dress, movies, body art, working or sports on Sunday, driving a BMW, etc. Foods, days, festivals; music, dress, movies, body art, working or sports on Sunday, driving a BMW, etc. These can be elevated to such a level that some people make them a dominate issue in their walk with Christ…they will even fight over them. These can be elevated to such a level that some people make them a dominate issue in their walk with Christ…they will even fight over them. The exercise of Christian liberties and freedoms are not issues of absolute right and wrong. The exercise of Christian liberties and freedoms are not issues of absolute right and wrong. Since the exercise of these liberties and freedoms are not issues of absolute right and wrong, neither is it a matter of great importance! Since the exercise of these liberties and freedoms are not issues of absolute right and wrong, neither is it a matter of great importance!

Freedom In Christ “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13 “For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.” 1 Peter 2:15-16 “For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.” 1 Peter 2:15-16 “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12

Freedom Fighters “Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.” (v.16-18) Acceptable (euarestos) “well pleasing” Acceptable (euarestos) “well pleasing” Approved (dokimos) “to have a favorable opinion; to be judged as acceptable” Approved (dokimos) “to have a favorable opinion; to be judged as acceptable”

“In the ancient world there was no banking system as we know it today, and no paper money. All money was made from metal, heated until liquid, poured into molds and allowed to cool. When the coins were cooled, it was necessary to smooth off the uneven edges. The coins were comparatively soft, and of course many people shaved them closely. In one century, more than eighty laws were passed in Athens to stop the practice of whittling down the coins then in circulation.”

“But some money-changers were men of integrity, who would accept no counterfeit money; they were men of honor who put only genuine, full-weight money into circulation. Such men were called dokimos, and this word is used here for the Christian as he is to be seen by the world.” Donald Grey Barnhouse “Romans: God’s Glory”

“So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense.” (v.19-20) Are you a building block…or a stumbling block?

Some Words For The Strong “It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.” (v.21-22)

Some Words For The Weak “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.” (v.23)

If We Take Care of the Big Things… “Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”Romans 12:1-2