I’ve always heard this passage in Romans 14 interpreted according to clothing, music, alcohol, smoking, and more—all in terms of “not being a stumbling block for others.” I was tender to my power to be a stumbling block of every sort, both to the believing and the unbelieving, checking over my shoulder to see the carnage I’d left in my wake. The truth was, I left hardly any, but it didn’t stop me from metaphorically cutting off arms and legs, gouging out eyes and the like, in pursuit of protecting my brothers and sisters.
The Christian life, I thought, was more about what I couldn’t do than what I could.
How glorious, then, when the true gospel began to take root in my heart. I began to understand that freedom in Christ meant I was truly free to live. As it turns out, Christ had declared me more than clean. He’d declared me redeemed.
Of all the ways I’d formerly applied this passage, though, the one I’d not considered was food. I knew all food had been declared clean, that we were no longer under the law of Moses in our dietary restrictions. But what I didn’t understand was the law of our current world with regard to food: the diet and exercise industry.
Today, in modern culture, the opposing god—though a no less despicable one—is the one who demands less food, more restrictions, better supplements, flatter stomachs, tighter abs, and the list goes on. In an attempt to care for the temples of the Holy Spirit with eating and exercising, we can destroy our bodies (which are wasting away, whether we like it or not) and cause harm to the impressionable hearts and minds of others who jump on every new regime or diet we offer.
We want to be well, to eat healthy, whole, and good foods. We love the rhythms of feasting and fasting we see in Scripture. We want to move our bodies, staying active. But we don’t want to destroy our hearts by lusting after what we don’t have. We don’t want to destroy our bodies by rebounding from one quick-fix supplement to another. We don’t want to destroy our minds by believing our approval comes from certain lifestyles or appearances.
There are countless difficulties in life, opportunities to be divided over race, gender, theology, and history. And food, instead of becoming a means to crush those divides—to draw near to one another, armed with soups, fruits, breads, vegetables, and meats—has become one more line of division.
Christ died for all; this is what the Bible says. I don’t want to be known by what I eat or don’t eat. I want to be known by how I love and who I’m loved by.
So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another. Do not tear down God’s work because of food.
—Romans 14:19–20
Whatever struggle you’re caught in the throes of today, know that you are loved by Christ. He spread His own body, bleeding and broken, to fit a cross you could never bear on your own. Don’t destroy your body by what you do or don’t eat. Christ died for all—every curve, every bulge, and every stretch mark—all of it.
For “the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). God gives us food as a means of provision, not division. Instead of fostering false divisions today, let’s share it with someone in the pursuit of peace.
Love this devotional today. I really needed to hear that. I find comfort in understanding that whatever my struggles are I am still loved by the Lord. I’ve struggled with a lot of anxiety lately and don’t have an answer for it which makes things frustrating. Praying for your requests today.
Re: comment to SEARCHING this morning: *shudder! I need to pay more attention to my mistakes – in more ways than one!
Totally agree with your description. In my Spirit I am free from Sugar addiction, but still have ongoing struggle with this body of sin. The Lord have me victory for ten years in recent years and helped me establish better habits, but I’m sure I will continue to struggle till He takes me home. It’s like Paul’s thorn in the flesh. I try to always
Wow. What a discussion. I don’t pretend to know the answer. But I do know that Jesus tells us to love Him with all our heart, mind and soul, and to love our neighbor as ourself. Of course there are people who live differently from me and my beliefs. It’s not my job to tell them they’re wrong. It is my job to show them God’s love. I pray that I can love all my neighbors, those who believe and live as I do, and those who live and believe something else. Living my life as a Christian is the best testimony I can give.
I’m praying for all requests, dear She’s, as I come to them.
I praise God that heaven is about joy in righteousness, and not about whether we eat or drink.
Good AFTERNOON and Happy Tuesday sweet She’s! I read the scriptures and devotion this morning, but did not have time to comment.
@SEARCHING, thank you and ALL who prayed for my first day. It went GREAT! I was exhausted, but went great. And just a few minutes ago, one of the front office staff called me over, and said how proud she is of me for taking on a new position. She knows I’ve been in the same department for many years, and she wanted to let me know she was proud for me to taking a step of faith.
17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
What a freeing statement. I can sympathize with the devotion today: always worrying about what I eat, drink, wear, where I go, and the list goes on. That was my experience growing up. But once I discovered that God truly loves me, just as I am, I felt so much freer. Diet and exercise, however, are still huge stumbling blocks for me. Over the past several years, I have gained a huge amount of weight and started living mostly in my house, and in my chair. I’m embarrassed for people to see me. And I’m becoming frightened to go places. Just before I read today’s Scripture and devotion, I was online looking at Silver Sneakers exercises I can do at home. And I have a book sitting next to me called, “The 40-Day Sugar Fast.” I’m diabetic, so that title really grabbed my attention. I tell myself I want to do these things to get healthier and live longer. But I question if it’s so I won’t be embarrassed to be seen. I love what Paul tells us:
17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Amen!
This is a really great, modern perspective of this passage! I know I have used food as a divisive tool.