Source: http://www.lensykes.com/archives/1613
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 20:28:23+00:00

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“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking (though the strong believer has the liberty to do this), but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” This verse is a good summary and point of application for what brings love and unity to believers and reveals the kingdom of God to the lost. Paul, a former legalistic Jew himself, now describes himself as a strong believer (15:1) who had liberty to eat non-kosher foods, drink wine (without getting drunk) and not observe Old Testament holy days, such as the Sabbath, etc. (Col. 2:16). But since exercising his liberty or “rights” may cause some other believers to sin against their conscience (vv. 14-15, 23) and maybe even fall into deeper sin (vv. 15b, 20) he gave up his “rights” out of love (not out of law). And he also did this to build up his neighbor for his good and edification (vv. 19, 15:2). He then points us to the ultimate model of sacrificial love for the good and edification of all of us – the Lord Jesus Christ: “For even Christ did not please Himself.” (15:3). “And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” (John 8:29) Jesus gave up His “rights” as Man and God to please the Father and for the sake of an eternal love relationship with you and me. How can we do any less as forgiven sinners for our Christian neighbor?
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
The Trinity is a Community of loving relationships and God created mankind in His image to be the same. Any time we make things (food, drink, religious traditions, work, etc.) and our “rights” more important than loving our God and our neighbor (The Great Commandment) we become less like God and the way He made us.
1. V. 13 What must we avoid?
2. V. 14 Why does something clean become unclean? See verse 23.
3. V. 15 What is to control our actions?
4. V. 17 What issues was Paul speaking about? What is important in the kingdom of God?
5. V. 19 What should we pursue?
6. V. 20-21 What must we avoid? Does this chapter give the Christian license or limit his action?
7. V. 23 How must a Christian control his life?
8. V. 15:1 How does this verse relate to the preceding chapter? Should we do everything we want to do? 15.2 What should we do?
9. V. 15:3 Whom should we imitate? See Philippians 2:1-8 and John 8:29.

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