For one believeth that he may eat all things, another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Romans 14:2
I like buffet-style restaurants, and not just because I like to eat. A buffet gives me the opportunity to find something that I enjoy and take as much of that as I want while ignoring those things that I dislike. But a buffet also allows me to avoid things that are not good for me. This is valuable to me, because of several health issues that require me to avoid certain foods such as those containing lactose or gluten. Unlike some of the folks in our text, I cannot eat everything. But neither am I like the other group that is apparently vegetarian. But the folks in our text were following their diets because of spiritual considerations, not because of health concerns. And, although their spiritual considerations were vastly different, they were urged not to condemn those who were different from themselves. This is a good lesson for us to learn today.
There are some things that you have no problem doing but that some others would refuse to do. Their conscience is different from yours on that issue. But it would be wrong for you to upbraid those folks for their lack of faith. And it would be wrong for them to attack you for your sinful liberties. This is not easy to do, because sometimes we hold to certain attitudes very firmly, and we can’t understand how other people can view things differently. In cases like these, we need to view those other folks the same way that God does; the same way that He views us.
If you are anything like me, you have lots of faults. There are many things about me that I am sure the Lord is disappointed in and discouraged about. And yet, He showers me daily with proofs of His love. He feeds, clothes, shelters, and protects me. He guides and listens to me, and He keeps the portals of Heaven open to bestow His goodness on me. If God is so gracious to such a weak and error-prone sinner like me, how dare I show anything but graciousness to other Christians with whom I have some slight differences of opinion?
I may not appreciate your vegetarian diet, and you may not appreciate the amount of meat that I eat, but the Lord has received us both, so let us accept with love each other and rejoice in what we share. -Jim MacIntosh