For the Good of Neighbor

Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died (Rom.14, 15)

Love must be the law of our lives; love must solve all the issues. Our freedom of actions must stop there, where we can upset our neighbor. Apostle Paul, knowing that nothing is unclean in itself, advises however, for the love for the brothers, not to eat meat in respect of opinions of others: “For meat destroy not the work of God” (Rom.14, 20) We are free to eat any food, but must be ready to fast from it for the love. We should never disregard our neighbors. Thinking of their good, we learn to put their interests higher than ours; still being free, we learn to obey to the higher law – the law of love.

“None of us liveth for himself” (Rom.14, 7). Every action we take brings either good or evil and has more meaning than we think.. If you can “destroy“ with the quality of meat, moreover you can destroy with anger and lies, unmerciful judgment, bad example or advise. Therefore “walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise” (Eph.5, 15)

(Translated by Tatiana Rozzell from “Every Day is a Gift from God. Diaries of an Orthodox Priest”, author unknown)