Judgments
Why should I care how you feel about what I do?
Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. If your brother or sister is being injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died. So do not let your good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for you to make others fall by what you eat; it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble. The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve. But those who have doubts are condemned if they eat, because they do not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. - Romans 14:13-23
Paul tells the people of the church in Rome to be aware of their actions. What they do, he says, has an impact on others.
Do not let your good be spoken of as evil, he tells them. That is like saying we are responsible in some way for what others do when they see what we do.
Our example somehow causes them to be ruined.
I think that is a bit extreme, don't you?
After all, aren't we all responsible for our own actions? And we choose what we do, right?
Setting a good example is one thing. I am all for that, but if I am doing what is right for me and others take offense, how is that my problem?
I am all for showing compassion and understanding.
I may not agree with your lifestyle choices, but I don't demand you change in order to avoid being offended by them. How you choose to live is your business.
And I would expect you to understand that I don't agree with your ways.
Paul makes it sound like we have to change our ways if it offends others, and that doesn't sound right to me.
If, as Christians, we accept all as they are, then there should be no reason for us to change for anyone else.
Mutual respect should be the way to go.
More to come...