Monday, August 8, 2011

THINK ON THESE THINGS - MONDAY


DESERT WHERE JESUS FASTED
EAT OR FAST?
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He who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. He also who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; while he who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God....Romans 14:6 AMP


It's the start of a new work week, as the summer races to a quick finish. Our walk through Romans 14 actually began two weeks ago, and we are only now in verse 6! Because some of the preceding verses were so rich, we camped on them a while! We love Romans 14, because is gives us wisdom on how to live with another believer, who does not look, smell or talk like you!

Verse 5 began a theme on celebrating certain holy days. While this was addressed to Jewish believers in Jesus, who lived in Rome, it was recorded for us TODAY. All Scripture is GOD-inspired and "breathed" for us to live, learn and love. The Old Testament stories were given us as examples to either follow OR not!

In Verse 6, we see the Lord showing us that it is okay to remember the Passover, for instance...and for a buttoned down conservative or a free spirit-filled contemporary church to celebrate with a Passover Seder dinner. I have officiated at a Passover Seder myself. Am I to be despised by some fellow fundamentalists because I celebrate the most significant Jewish Feast day? May it never be! These are the same people who say the Apostle Paul walked around with a King James Bible and "good enough for Paul, good enough for me"!

Likewise, do I, as a redeemed, saved and sanctified in the Holy Ghost believer, look down on someone who wishes to FAST or abstain from food on Good Friday? May it never be! I have done that myself so as to have my own spirit hungry not for food, but for fellowship with the Spirit of God, in order to identify with the Suffering of Christ on the Cross almost 1970 years ago now!

Both positions are correct. In all things, we MUST practice both Love and discernment! The latter can only come from KNOWING the Lord Jesus Christ and what He teaches in His Word - the Bible. Therefore, live with one another as unto Christ, Who would never pick a fight about whether one eats kosher lamb or nothing in the celebration/observance of one of His High Holy Days!

Related articles
• 25 Inspirational Bible Verses (christianpf.com)
• Christians and Passover (hillsbiblechurch.org)
• Romans 14:1-12 "Freedom and Responsibility in Non-Essentials" (jeremysells.wordpress.com)
• Why did David desire to dwell in the House of the Lord all the Days of his Life? (idkh.org)
• Why is Passover a type of Christ (wiki.answers.com)



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