From the desk of pastor Ben

Let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.        (Romans 14:13-14) NIV

When I became a Christian, I stopped listening to certain music to avoid unhelpful temptations. I stopped wearing certain clothes to avoid attention I no longer wanted. I stopped going to certain places and hanging around certain kinds of people. My new behavior was partly a new believer’s zeal, partly wisdom, and partly genuine spiritual conviction. My early religious zeal also led me to judge others who didn’t behave as I did.
Thankfully, I have grown up from those early convictions and now, 50 years later, I am continually learning about intimacy with Christ and the conviction of the Holy Spirit, which Paul alludes to in today’s Scripture passage and elsewhere. As I’ve matured spiritually, I’ve become more relaxed about certain things and stricter about others. All this aligns nicely (and relies heavily) on our personal, ongoing, and growing relationship with Jesus.
Thee are some clear guidelines in Scripture about how I’m to live, but ultimately I’m called to respond to the Holy Spirit’s conviction as I’m transformed from the inside out. This process of sanctification is as unique as I am. Jesus knows my personal vulnerabilities, my level of spiritual understanding, and the forces working against me. Drawing close to Christ enables me to tune into what He’s doing in me, which also keeps me humble even as I grow.

Faith Step:     Are you letting others be your Holy Spirit or are you casting yourself in that role? Return to Jesus, who knows just what you need.