Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 9/6/2007

Question
Hi Don;
My question is not really bout eating meat...
the Bible says

Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day,


1 Cor 6:12 "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are expedient. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be brought under the power of anything.

1 Cor 10:23 "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are profitable. "All things are lawful for me," but not all things build up.



Rom 14:21 It is good to not eat meat, drink wine, nor do anything by which your brother stumbles, is offended, or is made weak

1 Cor 8:13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no meat forevermore, that I don't cause my brother to stumble.

So which is it?


I mean I guess If I lived on a desert island I would have a whole heck of a lot more Freedoms than I do here with All these people watching me...Huh?


Answer
Hi Ken,

Thanks for this question. These verses do not contradict, they help clarify each other.  It is not a sin to eat meat.  It is no longer a requirement to eat "kosher" meat.  However, there are some who do not completely understand that freedom in Christ.  Rather than cause them to stumble by thinking that you are in sin, just don't eat it around them.  You are absolutely right... there would be more personal freedom if we were alone... but then what good would the freedom be?

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don