Romans 14:22-23 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
Personal convictions should be kept personal, between us and God. We should not drag other people into what we think about issues of food, drink, wine, and other minor issues. If we are open to God, God will direct our thoughts. He may call us to a stricter life of holiness and purity, and this may include these types of minor issues. The call to be separate from the world is serious and life-encompassing. We must be careful, however, that we do not end up in legalism, thus condemning ourselves under a yoke of slavery to the law. Our freedom comes from loving God and loving others, and by putting others’ needs ahead of our own. Those who participate in the things we feel are wrong should likewise be careful, because God may be directing them in their conscience and convictions to avoid such behavior. Whatever we do as believers must be guided by faith. If our relationship with God is right, our lives have been committed to God fully, and we confess with our mouths and hearts that Jesus is Lord, then we will be more open to the leading of the Holy Spirit in these matters. The Holy Spirit will take God’s word in the Bible and the fellowship of the saints as a corporate conscience to guide us into holiness and love. Paul is strong when he says that anything else is sin. There are too many Christians who dabble in things that are not good for them, finding excuses and even saying that they have no personal conviction about these behaviors. Paul warns such behavior here. The warning is for those who feel free to eat and drink whatever they want and who look down on those who hold more stringent convictions. Judgmentalism and legalism are two sides of the same disease that can be cured by entire sanctification and a life of love.
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