For the Sake

Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.  Romans 14:20 a

I remember visiting a church in Tennessee, a lovely little town on a hill.  And the preacher talked about why churches split.  His causes were things along the line of carpet color, music style, decorating ideas, whether or not to use contemporary service structure, and instrumentation.  Unfortunately, he was correct.  The people who belong to churches also often split over the minor choices and the work of God is destroyed for the sake of something minor and silly.

Not all decisions are minor, but there are those choices which are.  And notice that this does not say impede or distract from, but to destroy the work.  Destroy, or should I say obliterate, wipe out, annihilate, demolish, devastate, tear down, raze, damage, spoil, crush, or ruin?  And what might the result be?  The effects may be eternal in nature, not a light charge to be presented with. 

It is so easy to become disenchanted with people you spend a considerable amount of time with.  As you get to know them, you see flaws more and more, they get on your nerves and you get on theirs in return.  It’s easy to become snappish, shooting out sarcasm and tendrils of annoyance.  Our attitudes can be contagious, spreading from one person to the next.   And if not properly handled, the contagion can be viral and lead to destruction for the sake of food. 

Let us be careful and caring, helping and loving each other rather than destroying each other.