Pastor John,
I was so glad to be able to listen to you all read a portion of the Slander book this morning.
The second to the last paragraph in today’s reading said this:
Our Guiding Principle: the Love of God
Even inconspicuous things like eating and drinking can offend (cause to stumble from the way of righteousness) an innocent child of God if he has been taught that it is wrong to eat certain foods or drink certain drinks. And sometimes when a child of God has been so offended, it is very difficult to win him again to the right path.
I realized as we read, pastor John, the “path” that you described here is not necessarily a set of rules or ordinances or a belief system. God doesn’t send those things to lead others to Christ, he sends people; His people. We are the light of the world, Jesus said, and if we fail to discern other’s hearts and fail their conscience with our so-called liberty, we are the path, the path appointed by God that they may not be able to reconcile with. They may have to make it to Christ IN SPITE of us, instead of with us.
My what a responsibility we have to discern others as we exercise our God-given liberties!
There is no right or wrong, there is just God.
Thank you for today.
Jerry