45Rom014.mp3
Commentary
Meat to the mighty man could very well be poison to the vegetarian... they are both received of the Lord. Work out your own soul of salvation with fear and trembling. Be fully persuaded in your own mind... it is of the Lord.
Verse 14 is the deciding factor to our personal walk in Jesus, to do His will in our lives. Each and every person decides for him/herself, as the spirit convicts, what is good and what is not good. Is it expedient? Does it produce fruit? Can it confess and bear witness that Jesus is come in the flesh? Esteem what is right for your own life, and trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Lean not to your own understanding, but in all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.
Next we see that what we do (or don't do) has an effect on others. We must not do (or refrain from doing) something that will bring harm to, or weaken someone else. Brother Phil had quit smoking cigarettes, and to go near the brother (or sister) that still smokes could very likely cause Phil to desire the smoke, and it is not necessary for him to struggle that way. I simply must not do or behave in such a way that can cause my brothers or sisters to fall short of the goal. No matter what that goal is, it is esteemed as good in his or her eyes. Nothing is unclean of itself, but only that which we esteem as unclean.
Don't let people talk down about you, not generally nor specifically. What action or behavior do they speak of? Is there anything I can do or say that isn't offensive to the other people in my life? These things are all good. What things in my life can cause negative influence, or discourage other people in my life? These things are not good. This is my system of determination: what is good vs. what is not good.
Those were my own words. Now lets look at the exact word; scripture... verse 21. Overall, it appears that the good and the bad both rest on the effect it has on other people. What will aide them in the effort? What will hinder it? This is the deciding factor.
When we allow something in our life, don't allow it to condemn you. Have faith of yourself before God. Don't be damned by doubt. Receive faith, and live.
Friday, June, 15th, 2012- 8:02am
