--Greetings and Blessings, Lynn!
Thank you for the time you spent in studying and posting your thoughts (scripturally), of how you feel about the 'MEAL' that I am serving at my home. (analogy)
As you can read for yourself, my specific question was regarding Romans 14:1-3, ...these food WERE NOT sacrificed to idols. These were ALL VARIETIES of foods being served to Christians.
We read in Romans 14 that there was a difference among them about the distinction of meats (and days);
the case was this: The members of the Christian church at Rome were some of them originally Gentiles, and others of them Jews. We find Jews at Rome believing. Now those that had been Jews were trained up in the observance of the ceremonial appointments touching meats. Even after they turned to (believing) Christians; it was hard to get out of them (flesh), as it was bred in the bone with them, and they were not easily weaned from what they had long been following,(Law).
Concerning meats:
One believes that he may eat all things--
he is well satisfied that the ceremonial distinction of meats into clean and unclean is no longer in force, but that every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused: nothing unclean of itself. This the strong Christian is clear in, and practices accordingly, eating what is set before him and asking no question for conscience' sake: 1 Corinthians 10:27.On the other hand, another who is weak (new Christian), is dissatisfied in this point, is not clear in his Christian liberty, but rather inclines to think that the meats forbidden by law remain still unclean: and therefore, to keep at a distance from them, he will not eat any flesh at all, but eats only herbs. There is great conviction in one's conscience in certain matters of 'eating' foods. Many vegetarians feel that it is not healthy to eat (any) meat. I have a dear friend who feels this way.
Yes, I agree with you, in that we DO NOT judge others by how their conscience is leading them (Christians), in eating.
As Rom 14:5b reminds us "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." So if I had you over for dinner and the above things were served, and your conscience would not permit you to eat the foods, I must excuse you. Likewise,
if I came to your home and you served BBQ porked sausages, I would LOVE IT! I also love shrimp, in case you serve that one, Lynn! I think you refer to some of these as 'scavengers' of the waters??
According to scriptures, it is what my conscience tells me, and if I know the waters have been poisoned where catfish are, I must REFRAIN!
Same with any foods that are UNHEALTHY, since we are wise enough to KNOW NOT TO EAT something that might harm our bodies, "the temple of the Holy Spirit, of the Living God."
For the record, I have eaten oysters, and they are YUKKY! I am allergic to Lobster and Crab meat. (as is my sister)
No, Lynn, not supersized! I have my own FF/Baked Lays Potato Chips! Which I LOVE! Speaking of which.....TIME TO EAT!
