Romans 14:1–4 (ESV)
Do Not Pass Judgment on One Another
14 As
for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains
pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
People are at different stages of faith. Some strong and some weak. When it comes to eating food, some may choose to be vegetarian and others may include meat. Today, you can add organic, gluten-free, and
GMO’s to the eating choices. It is important to know that we, as Christians, have been freed from dietary laws. We can eat whatever we want. We are not to judge others by what they eat. We have been set free from dietary
laws, but that means also that we are free to eat how we chose. So you are free to be a vegetarian, a meat eater, or whatever. Freedom from dietary laws allows this. So do not judge others for eating differently. That also means that
I shouldn’t make fun of those who can’t take any heat from peppers. Lord forgive me!
I pray: O Lord, we often criticize others who are different, even when it comes to eating choices.
Help us to love all people and to realize that we are different. We need to be open minded on things that are not forbidden. We love those who do things that are forbidden, yet continue in our efforts to plant the seeds of faith and let the Holy
Spirit work on their hearts. Amen.