Let Love Rule!
"Let each of you look out not
only for his own interests, but
also for the interests of others."
Philippians 2: 4
As the Gospel spread from Jerusalem
into the world of the Gentiles, cultural
issues arose that required a spiritual
response.
For instance, in food markets of large cities like
Corinth and Rome, meat would be sold that was
leftover from sacrifices in pagan temples. It was
meat offered to idols. So the question arose as to
whether Christians could eat that meat without
defiling their conscience.
Paul wrote two lengthy
passages addressing this
issue in 1 Corinthians 10:14–11:1 and Romans 14:
1-23. He said there was no harm eating
meat from
pagan temples, but he left the decision up to the
individual.
He cautioned against letting one’s conscience
be the standard of judgment against others. He
said peace in church and mutual edification were
most important (Romans 14:19). Love was to be
the guide: “Love...does not seek its own”
(1 Corinthians 13:4-5).
In all relationships, home, work, church,
we're to love one another, not judge one
another. Pursue peace and edification
wherever you go today.
"Judging others makes
us blind, whereas love
is illuminating."
Dietrich
Bonhoeffer