I have come across a post about different churches having varying standards for what is right or wrong. Some churches tend to be more liberal in terms of fashion while other churches are very strict about the dress code but do not say much about drinking or smoking. Some churches are very strict about putting males and females together for activities while other churches do not seem to mind. Overall, the article points out that we are all sinners and that everyone takes time to transform, to be come holy. So we should not point fingers.

I agree completely with the article. We are all sinners and it takes time for us to become like Jesus. I have seriously started following Jesus four years ago. Although many of my friends are amazed and are even scared of my transformation, I still struggle with many sins. I am often tempted. I often complain and very rarely I cuss while driving in LA (Yes, be extra cautious in LA, because yesterday a bus tried to crash into me.)

But what does Jesus say about what to do or not to do? This is an often controversial topic at church and many people voice their strong opinions. However, let us not forget that there is only one God, one Jesus, one Holy Spirit, and one bible.

According to the Word, following 1 Corinthians 8, everything can be done but if it make another person fall, then we should not do it.

1 Corinthians 8: 9-12.

9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.

So if your actions makes others go farther away from Jesus then you should not do it. If your drinking habits make people think that Christians are drunks then you should not drink at least in public. If your overly zealous support for sports make other people feel uncomfortable about Christianity then you should be less zealous. Finally, if your clothing makes other people question about the church then you should probably dress more conservatively.

Let us never forget that whatever we do it for Jesus.

1 Corinthians 10:31

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God

 

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