A Pharisee of Freedom?

Based on Romans 14-15

"Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him." Romans 14:3.

As easy as it was for the Pharisees of Paul's day to judge the new Gospel which was being preached, we can't forget how those who had been converted & saved could easily turn around and do the same thing! If we are not careful in making our commitment to Christ, we can become judgmental of others. In that way, we'd be regular Pharisees of freedom! It goes both ways!

So that's why the above Scripture uses the example of eating meat which was once considered "unclean." If we have the revelation of Truth & choose to eat it, we don't have to condemn people who choose not to. It is something God has allowed for us to partake of, not a law we must use to judge others:

"But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." Romans 14:15‭-‬17.

Besides outright judging others, the other thing we have to watch out for is offending people. It's one thing to speak the Truth of God's message of salvation boldly, but if we boldly shove our customs & standards at others who may not be at the point of commitment yet, we could offend them and they may not want a relationship with Jesus (or we could just prolong that process!). If it would be easier to reach out to someone and "keep the meat" aside, then we should do that! Newcomers or "newborns" to Christ need the milk before the meat anyway!

Remember, the kingdom of God is not meat & drink anyway! As the Pharisees needed to be reminded to think outside the physical, so do we! We need to remember it's all about what we can receive in the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost: "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost!"

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:4‭-‬6.

Paul really was someone who tried to bring 2 world together. The Old Testament & New Testament worlds, and the carnal & the Spiritual as well. He says above that the laws of old truly comfort us and give us hope. But hope for what? Hope for the fulfillment in the New Testament! We need to be like minded about the hope in Jesus, that we can all together as one Body serve Him!

"But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand." Romans 15:21.

Remember the last post about another chance! That's what we've been given, especially as Gentiles (people who are not Jewish). We were not originally serving God the way we should, but Jesus opened that door for us. Now we can see & understand the things of God too! Since this grace was given to us, we don't want to take advantage of it by being a Pharisee of freedom or Pharisee of salvation!

We need to be careful that we are not judgmental or offensive. We need to give people the time they need to grow in God. While salvation is urgent, it's a life commitment which needs to be gripped by the heart! And remember, the law is fueled by love! The Gospel is fueled by love! If we are a Pharisee on either side, we will forget that!

So yes, I would urge you all to come & have your lives be transformed-but first, I just encourage you to fall more in love with Jesus every single day, to take God's Word to heart. That love will cause all of us to accomplish many things we never thought possible before! Let's be friends of freedom in Christ, not Pharisees of freedom!

"That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen."
Romans 15:32‭-‬33.