I think vegetarians might have a quarrel or two with the
apostle Paul over who is weak after all it's not easy to be vegetarian at a Texas BBQ
joint. Thank God for pickles! Of course vegetarians take a little bit of
ribbing in Texas but maybe not the same as in the early church where “you are
what you eat” were fighting words. Centuries of animosity between Jew and Gentile
did not disappear overnight. If anything the differences that could largely be avoided through segregation were now inescapable. So Paul reminds them that
they are no longer defined by their personal piety for they belong to the Lord
who welcomes Jew and Gentile alike. That is the part we miss when we elevate
one form of piety above another without recognizing that the only question that
matters is does it please the Lord. Of course what really pleases the Lord is
when we live in harmony with one another which in the end is the highest form
of praise.
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