Feeding the Lambs - Joy in the Holy Spirit
-The Apostle Paul, writing to the first believers in Rome
Romans 14:17
[28th message of the New Believer Series]
In the last few messages, we have been in this mini series (on the Holy Spirit) within a series (New Believers). Today, we come to an excerpt from the letter of Paul to the early Roman believers.
In this passage Paul was trying to school some of the believers in Rome who apparently have overshot the liberty or the freedom God gave them. These people seem to be unaware (or do not care) that they were causing new believers to stumble in their new faith in Christ.
Freedom
Paul wrote "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free" to the early believers in Galatia.
Indeed this is true, but this freedom comes with responsibilities.
Eating and Drinking
Yes believers were given the freedom from the human made restrictions of the religion and the traditions they grew up in. But doing so (or flaunting this freedom) in front of new believers or unbelievers, who do not understand such liberties is not a wise or responsible thing to do. The freedom Paul was specifically referring to in this excerpt was the freedom to partake of food and drink (but it could be for any liberty).
To the early believers in Galatia, Paul wrote "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery (reckless indiscretion). Instead, be filled with the Spirit."
To the early believers in Corinth, Paul also gave stern warnings about their carefree ways of partaking of the Lord's supper.
Too Much
So it appears that some of the early believers got busy and became reckless with their eating and drinking (I guess like someone who just got out of jail after being imprisoned for a long time might do). These believers appear to have totally forgotten who set them free and how their freedom was paid for.
Holy Spirit
In these passages, one common denominator is the Holy Spirit -- every believer's Comforter, Advocate and Helper.
Paul wanted these believers to be drunk not with the pleasures of this world but by the Holy Spirit. He wanted them to experience joy (in the Holy Spirit) and not merely happiness (in circumstances).
[Joy is contentment in any situation, happiness is fleeting and only lasts until the happy moment is over.]
Real Joy
So many believers have yet to experience real joy and to be overwhelmed by the presence of God (by the Spirit of God) so to them these words of Paul seem so hard to understand. And it is, because these are not theories that are needed to be memorized when one has to take a test, exam or interview, or quoted when one has an urge to showboat or act superior. These words are meant to be lived out.
Relationship
We have already established that real Christianity is not a rote religion, but a daily relationship with Christ.
Christianity is a way of life. One may call it a philosophy.
But how can one live this Christian life, when there is much to learn about what it really is about? New believers should take it one day at a time.
Jesus taught His first disciples day and night for over three years. And even that wasn't enough, after He ascended back to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to be their Teacher day and night as well
Hence, like in any field of study, new believers study Scriptures and then apply what they learned in their daily walk with Christ.
And there is much to learn and too little time. Let us continue this next time.
Kingdom Living is better than Natural Living
The Kingdom of God is not about what we eat or drink. The Apostle Paul taught the early believers that he has learned to be content with plenty and with nothing. For the most part, believers do not experience joy when there is plenty, they do so during times of need. The Apostle learned this firsthand and he was teaching from personal experience and not from a book.
New Believers Series
New Believers Series
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