What does YOUR conscience allow you to get away with?

[Alan Swallows Waiting for Email Confirmation]

DISCLAIMER: This thread is not for those with a weak conscience. Not everyone's faith is as strong as mine. Weak brethren (or sisters) please return to the forum index now.




Okay, now I'm not responsible if anyone loses their faith because of this – even though that's impossible (John 10:27-29).

I thought it might be interesting (and fun) to start a thread where those of us with a deep strong unshakeable faith can share any special privileges we enjoy. You know, those special exceptions to the rules, those things that only I am allowed to do.

I'll start: I eat halal meat sacrificed to the Arabian moon god. Or at least, I'm pretty sure I do and I'm okay with it.

Mmmmm. I know God wouldn't want me to go hungry when I'm out of town (Proverbs 28:25). Of course, I understand this may not be okay for you.

Of course, it goes without saying that no halal meat is sold in Freehold. But sometimes work takes me out of town, like if there's a meeting of the Iowa Funeral Director's Association. I recently found out after some online research that some of the meat I'd been eating was most likely halal. It turns out that much of the meat sold in American supermarkets may be halal even if it's not labeled. Eating meat sacrificed to false gods would seem to go against Acts 15:29. But I don't have a problem with it because of what Paul says in Romans 14.

Romans 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
Romans 14:2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
Romans 14:3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Romans 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks...
Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Romans 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
Romans 14:15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Romans 14:16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Romans 14:18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Romans 14:20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
Romans 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Romans 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Paul also says similar stuff in First Corinthians chapter 8 and First Corinthians 10:23-31.

We don't often talk much about our Christian liberty on these forums. But think about the things Paul says: "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient" (First Corinthians 10:23). "I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean" (Romans 14:14). "Let not then your good be evil spoken of" (Romans 14:16). "For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence" (Romans 14:20). This gives us incredible scope for following God's unchangeable laws (Matthew 5:18-20) which cannot even be adapted to accomodate culture or tradition (Mark 7:9-13).

Anyone else got the courage to cast off the shackles of the tyranny of the weaker brother (First Corinthians 10:29)?

.

[Johny Joe Hold]

Re: What does YOUR conscience allow you to get away with?

A very thoughtful essay, indeed, Brother Swallows.

The way I see it, we True Christians™ are the world's guide to avoiding sin. What our consciences allow us to do is the final word on what is sin. Where a good piece of pork loin, steak or lamb chops came from is less important than my own pleasure in eating it.

[James Hutchins]

Re: What does YOUR conscience allow you to get away with?

I heard a Pastor years back give some poignant advice to the flock. He was talking about sin, of course he had everyone's rapt attention (even Brother Nobar was awake!). He was talking about Homersexualizers, Lesbos and all the acts of perversion they do and devices they all use. It was quite disgusting to say the least! After a few hours, the gentle Pastor was done with his service and many people were squirming with discomfort, no doubt because most had at some point in their life used a egg beater, waffle maker or auto exhaust pipe inappropriately. After all, how can a person know if something is wrong if not told! The Pastor (as always) had the simple answer.

I'll know something is wrong when I see it

Well, the Pastor was invited to each persons home I suspect with them all demonstrating their daily lives.
The Tithing Schedule was increased for most of the members of the Church, so many participated in questionable activities such as badminton, wearing of button fly jeans or use of a public urinal.

[Joanna Lytton-Vasey]

Re: What does YOUR conscience allow you to get away with?

What a very interesting discussion. I am not sure that any woman can be said to have a fully-developed conscience in the way that a True Christian™ man does. I rely entirely on my dear husband Matthew to make all decisions of this nature. In his absence, I ask a pastor.

Matthew is as one with you, Brother Swallows, on the subject of halal meat. Most of our meat and game is slaughtered or shot on our own land, and the boys fish in the sea. (Only last week we enjoyed a small shark.) But, Matthew says, outside the home it's a case of "needs must" and this is extended to the entire family. He obviously draws the line at anything labeled "kosher"!

Insofar as what his conscience allows me to get away with, I can only think of his insistence that, when he is entertaining important business colleagues, I should be a credit to him and "look my best". His attitude is that while this may appear contrary to 1 Timothy 2:9, it is very much in accordance with 1 Timothy 2:10. Business is business and the better the deal, the higher the tithe.

[Pim Pendergast]

Re: What does YOUR conscience allow you to get away with?

I occasionally skip Sunday services to go a footy match if the Eagles are playing a home game, or for a Western Derby.

Rom 14:5-6b
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.

[Basilissa]

Re: What does YOUR conscience allow you to get away with?

Insofar as what his conscience allows me to get away with, I can only think of his insistence that, when he is entertaining important business colleagues, I should be a credit to him and "look my best". His attitude is that while this may appear contrary to 1 Timothy 2:9, it is very much in accordance with 1 Timothy 2:10. Business is business and the better the deal, the higher the tithe.

Well, I am not sure if I can call it "getting away with," but I do tend to interpret 1 Timothy 2:9 quite literally. It speaks of gold, but not of platinum; it speaks of pearls but not of diamonds or other precious stones. Also, the word "costly" is relative, what is costly for some people is not that expensive from my perspective. Hence, both for every day use and for formal occasions I choose platinum jewelry with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, preferably in Edwardian jewelry style, very modest indeed.