Understanding the Goal

 ¹³Therefore let us not^(U)judge one another anymore, but rather determine this--^(V)not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.
 ¹⁴I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that^(W)nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who ^(X)thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
 ¹⁵For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer ^(Y)walking according to love ^(Z)Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.


Romans 14:13-15


I think for those who are legalistic and try to obey the law to the tee this may be a little confusing.  In one situation we ought to do this and in another situation that. So what do I do?  Which laws do I follow?  We follow the law of the Spirit that frees us from man-made laws extracted from The Commandments.  Here in this passage, the author no doubt tried to make the distinction between clean and unclean foods.  In the OT there was such a thing but Christ set us free from that slavery.  We are to deposit God's laws in our hearts and pursue Him and not laws.  We do this by really understanding God's desire, the big picture, instead of focusing on the immediate task at hand.  For awhile that's what was needed but we've been given an amazing gift that allows us to see further down the road into eternity and that's where we need to focus.  The details will be ironed out through the Counselor and not a scroll.


For me, this is awesome but it also can be a trap.  We can abuse this wonderful freedom in Christ and do whatever we want and call it "spiritual."  That's not what God wants.  He wants us to keep focus on Him while obeying the underlying commands to love Him and neighbors.  I can get out of hand by loving my neighbors more than Him and that's so wrong.  We need to love our neighbors through Jesus.  This wrong path may lead into self-serving spirituality with a Jesus label thrown on top.  This cannot happen.


Father God, thank You for blessing us with Your sacrifice in Jesus.  Help me to fully understand, according to Your provisions, Your calling for my life.  Equip me with Your Spirit to accomplish what You've prepared for me today.  In the most precious name of Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!