DON'T LET THE FACT THAT YOU ARE SAVED BY GRACE, LEAD YOU TO SIN

Newsletter 306 July 29,2012
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Romans 14:13-23
King James Version (KJV)
I suppose there is not a single one of us who has not stumbled over the raised blocks placed at the curb end of many parking bays. They are placed there to protect our cars, but on many occasions they have been responsible for serious damage to our elderly population. The purpose of placing them there is good, but many times the end result is not.
In a court setting the conclusion of a trial may be positive or it may be negative, but here it is negative in the sense that we are not to condemn our christian brother, but rather to encourage him. The actual words used may even be the same, but a whole change in meaning can be understood by the tone and expression of them. We are not here to browbeat our weaker brother, but to set an example and encourage him.. For example repeat the three words, “I love you.” . First think of them being expressed to your husband or with, or a frend an kind expression on your face and emphasis on the word “love”. Then repeat the very same works with the emphasis on “You” and an angry expression. Total different meaning and result!
NO ONE LIVES TO HIMSELF ALONE
We are not here to be judges. God has reserved that for Himself, but let us judge ourselves an train our conscience, through the Spirit to set a good example, remembering that as we judge others in a detrimental way, we too shall be judged by our Lord. Let us examine our selves.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
(Matthew 7:1, Romans 14:3, 1 Corinthians 8:13)
Every generation has its own temptations, but its own sins are pretty much the same. My study Bible has a map of the first century Rome. Pagan temples abounded there, and also the Roman emphasis on their entertainments in the circus, the amphitheater, the stadium. Immorality abounded. To be a Christian, was to be outstandingly different, and everyone knew it. I understand that. I was in the Navy two years, and to be a Christian is to be different. One knew it without having to be told. No one ever asked me to accompany them to Tijuana, across the border, or to a strip club or bar.
14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

ONE MAN'S SIN, MAY NOT BE SIN TO ANOTHER.
(Acts 10:15, Romans 14:2, Romans 14:20, 1 Corinthians 8:7)
That map of ancient Rome suggests an example. Those pagan temples involved animal sacrifices to their demonic gods, and not all the meat from those was burned. Some was served in drunken orgies, and the rest ended up in the markets. Now, was it a sin to buy and eat that meat? Not really, but if a new convert to Christ thought it was, then it was for him, and likewise for you to openly do so, would be to put a stumbling block in his way.
15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
(Ephesians 5:2, Romans 14:20, 1 Corinthians 8:11)
To put it in a more modern setting. I grew up largely in a “dry county” of Illinois. That means that there were no bars and no alcohol served openly. For me, it would have been a sin to go with the others to a place where it was readily available, which eliminated a lot of their entertainment. This was pointed ut to me, when some of our “in law” relative, mother of the groom in this case, discovered that we served non-alcoholic fruit punch at our family weddings.
16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
(1 Corinthians 10:30, Titus 2:5, )
THE KINGDOM PRODUCES RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, AND JOY
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
(1 Corinthians 8:8, Romans 15:13, Galatians 5:22)
These three are the result of the presence of the Spirit. With them comes a better life, the approval of those around us, here and now, and when it comes to an end, the approval of the Lord God.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
(Romans 16:18, 2 Corinthians 8:21, Philippians 4:8, 1 Peter 2:12)
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
(Psalm 34:14, Romans 12:18, 1 Corinthians 7:15, 1 Timothy 2:22, Hebrews 12:14, Romans 15:2, 1 Corinthians 10:23, 1 Corinthians 14:3, 1 Corinthians 14:26, 2 Corinthians 12:19, Ephesians 4:12, Ephesians 4:29)
20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
(Romans 14:15, Acts 10:15, Romans 14:2, Roans 14:14, 1 Corinthians 8:9-12)o
IT IS GOOD FOR YOURSELF AND FOR YOUR WEAKER BROTHER
21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
(1 Corinthians 8:13)
TRAIN YOUR CONSCIENCE TO LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD
22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
(1 John 3:21)

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012

JULY

29th Sunday - Hosea 13, 14, Romans 15:1-16, Psalm 89:30-37
30th Monday - Jonah 1, 2, Romans 15:17-33, Psalm 89:36-45
31st Tuesday - Jonah 3, 4, Romans 16, Proverbs 18:11:24

AUGUST

1st Wednesday - 1 Chronicles 1, 1 Corinthians 1:1-17, Psalm 89:46-52
2nd Thursday - 1 Chronicles 2, 3, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 90:1-10
3rd Friday - 1 Chronicles 4, 5, 1 Corinthians 2, Psalm 90:11-17
4th Saturday - 1 Chronicles 6, 1 Corinthians 3, Proverbs 19:1-10

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THIS WEEK'S MEMORY VERSE

“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.” - Romans 14:13

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AFTER THE STORM

Chippie was a perfectly happy parakeet until his owner decided to clean Chippie's cage with a vacuum cleaner. She started by putting the hose into the cage, and then the phone rang and she left it there until she heard the swoosh of Chippie being sucked up.

She opened the bag and rescued Chippie alive but stunned. He was covered with dust, hair and all kinds of stuff, so she decided to wash him off with running water. Chippie started shivering with cold, so she decided a blast from the hair dryer would dry him quickly.

Did Chippie recover? Friends asked that often! Chippie's owner answers, “He sits on his perch and stares into space … but he isn't cheerful any more.

Would you be?