Knowing the 'Why'

Romans 14:3-4a

3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted that person. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master they stand or fall.

Have you ever been sitting with a group eating burgers and fries while you ate a salad or vice versa? Did you feel like a fish out of water? Were you made fun of or received strange looks? The apostle Paul addressed the church in Rome because there was much division about customs. Many of the Jewish Christians kept to the mosaic law of not eating pork and other such foods that were considered the bottom of the food chain. While Gentile Christians did not have the same observances they were looked down upon as being weak. But to Paul's point each believed he was doing right in the eyes of God. Some may recall that Peter had an experience where God laid a spread before him and it consisted of the very food that was off limits, pork. And God spoke to Peter saying that everything he made was pure. So if one observes certain food practices and another doesn't, it doesn't make anyone less a follower of Christ.

We are in a season of Lent. And during this season the custom is to give up something, to sacrifice. But the question becomes is it because one understands what is being done or is it because it's a tradition? For those that are not aware, it's not just about sacrifice but as stated on www.catholiceducation.org, "Lent is a special time of prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works in preparation of the celebration of Easter." Lent is from Ash Wednesday to Easter. Whatever the reason, it is for God to judge whether that person's intentions are true.

P.S. Monday, March 21st at 8:30am my first internet radio interview promoting Get Your JOY In The Morning will air on V's Artist-2-Artist on www.QLiveOne.com.