The church faced a struggle when it witnessed to the Jewish people. The Jews had over 600 laws from the Old Testament. And when Jews saw followers of Jesus breaking critical rules, such as eating meat from an animal that had been sacrificed to an idol, they stumbled, rejecting Christ. So the Church called an assembly of Founding Fathers, including Paul, Barnabas, Peter, James, Luke, and many more, and a letter was written to Gentile brothers with a compromise:
“For it was the Holy Spirit’s decision—and ours—to put no greater burden on you than these things: that you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. Farewell” Acts 15:28-29.
They reduced 600 laws to four! Three things you must not eat, and then the blanket statement “abstain from sexual immorality.” This lifted a huge burden from the new Christians who were Gentiles—and had never learned the Jewish law. It’s also important to remember that even these four things are not “law” in the way the Old Testament was law. Believers are not under law, but under grace. But to please God and be a light to the lost, we must live holy lives and avoid giving offense.
Remember, YOUR FREEDOM IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS YOUR WITNESS.
“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. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall” Romans 14:20-21.
How often do you consider your witness? They say your life is the only Bible some people will ever read. What will people learn from reading you? Does your life reflect the truth, the holiness, and the hope of Christ? Nothing is more important than your witness. It is the only reason you are still here instead of already being in heaven.
ΑΩ
*The above image generated with AI. I gave the instruction “eating and drinking.”
Household Words: 