Romans 14.19-21 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. NIV
Who’d a–thunkit that meat
was once a source of contention between folk? I sure know drink is. I know that
ever since Jesus turned water into wine the Church in America has been trying
to change it back. It is just the way things are that someone will get their
nose bent out of shape over food and drink. Just place bacon in front of a
Muslim and watch what happens.
It sounds awfully petty. It sounds entirely human – whatever we can make an issue out of we will
– and we do. But the word of God is pretty clear at this point: “…it is wrong for a person to eat anything
that causes someone else to stumble. It is better no to eat meat or drink wine
or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.”
Hmmm. So I guess I’ll just find those who do what I want to do and hang out with them. Now it’s starting to sound really petty.
I’m pretty sure that those in the Church who drink wine
or beer wish those who didn’t would just man-up and join the party. I’m pretty
sure that those who don’t wish those who did would man-up and be leaders and
set the example and do what Jesus did (Who as a member of His culture did what
everyone else did: He drank wine. And don’t give me that lame excuse that Jesus
drank Welch’s – He didn’t. He drank
the real stuff.)
Most all of us know a drunk, or know someone who knows a
drunk. There isn’t a place in leadership of the Church for a drunkard; nor is
there an effective witness in the life of a drunkard. But let me share this
story:
Last week I go to get my hair cut at a new Barber shop –
not only new to me but new to our little berg. So, I’m in the chair and the
barber is cutting my hair, and we’re talking music and he asks me what I “into”.
Well, I’m into mountain bike riding. And pretty passionate about it. But I tell
him I’m not currently riding because I sold my bike to go on a Mission’s trip.
He spins the chair around and he says, “You’re a Christian and you listen to
this kind of music!?” I say, “Sure!” And he says, “My, how times have changed.” (I didn’t have the heart to tell him I was also into craft beers and red wine… I might’ve had to call 911.)
But the point here is not pettiness, but strength, love,
and courage. It takes strength – the Jesus kind – to put up with those who make
issues out of food and drink and rock music and what the worship band plays on
Sunday (there is my weakness and a source of issues for me). It takes love to accept one who gets all
jiggy over things and can’t/won’t come to understand. And it takes courage to
let Jesus be Jesus in my life, my choices, and to rule over what I’m into. God doesn’t take anything from us. He will however,
accept everything we’ll give Him. That’s what relationship is all about.
Jesus here is what I want from You today: Your strength,
Your love, and courage. I need these things to deal with the thorny issues in
life. But I also ask for wisdom in order to represent You well and to carefully
guard and guide what I’m into lest it become hurtful to others and I wreck the
whole thing. Don’t let me do that. Amen.
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