Today’s scripture: Romans 14:5-6 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Vivian Wyatt):
There is a blue one who can’t accept the green one
For living with a fat one trying to be a skinny one
And different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo-bee
Oh sha sha — we got to live together
I am no better and neither are you
We are the same whatever we do. ~Everyday People by Sly and the Family Stone
I believe Sly Stone, perhaps unwittingly, understood this passage in Romans. Paul is saying that there are different strokes for different folks; what is acceptable for me to do as a Christian may not be acceptable to you. If you are fully convinced in [your] own mind then do it or abstain from doing it to the glory of God. Paul is talking about things that, in some schools of thought, are referred to as disputable matters; things that you really have to decide for yourself as you wrestle with what you believe.
The early or first Christians were Jews and they brought with them the rules of Leviticus that included the things you should not eat. Such as octopus, squid, oysters, shrimp, crab and bottom eating fish like catfish. They were instructed that they were not to consume animals that have paws like rabbits, cats, dogs, etc. Also on the list of “do not eat” are camels, horses, donkeys, llamas, weasels, mice, turtles, tortoises, reptiles of any kind, eels and bats.
Personally, I have no problem with not eating most of these, especially eels and bats, but I do love shrimp, crab and calamari. And I’ve been known to scoff down a bit of catfish.
When non-Jews began to join the early church, those, who were Jewish, felt that their way was the way for all. Paul took issue with that; saying that if you believe you shouldn’t do it (it being a disputable matter like having wine with dinner) than you shouldn’t and thank God. But if you believe you can do it, do it and thank God. I find this to be very liberating.
Thought for the day: As we strive to be our best for God, we should let others do the same. We should not condemn, be judgmental or feel that we are somehow superior to others because of our beliefs about disputable matters.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.