The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Romans 14:20-23, “Do not wreck God’s work for the sake of food. Certainly all foods are clean; but all the same, any kind can be evil for someone to whom it is an offence to eat it.
21 It is best to abstain from eating any meat, or drinking any wine, or from any other activity which might cause a brother to fall away, or to be scandalised, or to weaken.
22 Within yourself, before God, hold on to what you already believe. Blessed is the person whose principles do not condemn his practice.
23 But anyone who eats with qualms of conscience is condemned, because this eating does not spring from faith — and every action which does not spring from faith is sin.”

No true believer should behave in such a way as to discount the work of Almighty God! “Don’t wreck God’s work” for anything, is the sure teaching of the Apostle Paul. There are indeed activities in life that are not wrong; however, those very activities may hurt the conscience of another, spiritually younger, Christian. Yes, we are our brother’s keeper! We, who have been Christians longer, are responsible for the spiritual growth of those who are younger in the faith. You may be admired for your faith by someone you don’t even know! When you indulge in an activity that offends that person, you cause him to stumble, and often stunt his spiritual growth in Christ.

Paul writes, “Blessed is the person whose principles do not condemn his practices.” In this classic statement, the Apostle assumes that the believer actually embraces the spiritual principles implanted in him by the Holy Spirit! Such should be true of us all. To live otherwise, confuses younger believers and wrecks the work of God in their lives. Anything that does not build up the faith of another, tears it down. There is no middle ground. God is in the building business! That’s why He sent Jesus to die for our sins. Cleansing us from sin presupposes that we will continue to grow in the grace of God. Thus, our living for Him will influence others and strengthen them in the faith.

So, let us thoroughly search our lives! Where are you spiritually? Do your practices condemn your principles? Do mine? We have a serious responsibility to God and to other believers. May the LORD’s work always prosper without hindrance from those of us who profess to know and follow His example.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom