Page 135 - Laying Down the Law

No doubt, many who are perceiving the truth shared in this book, will find it
difficult to begin walking in that truth. If laying down cigarettes is difficult, laying
down the Law is far more so. I listened to a man testify of having been raised in a
denomination that forbid the use of musical instruments during worship. Years later,
having left that church and recognizing their position on musical instruments to be
error, he still felt uneasy whenever he experienced a time of worship and musical
instruments were used.
This reaction is similar to a person who has burned their hand repeatedly on a
hot stove. Even when they are given proofs that the stove is no longer hot, they still
will only with the greatest caution reach out their hand to touch it.
The body of Christ in its early days was made up of many who had been raised
in Judaism. The Law was deeply ingrained in them. It was a wrenching thing to adjust
to life without it. Although the Spirit was far more capable in revealing the will of
God, and empowering people to live righteously, it was very difficult for many to let
go of the old schoolmaster. Some never did.
Although the apostles taught that Christians are free from the Law, they also
cautioned men and women to not violate their conscience. If a man felt condemned
in eating, or was convicted that he should observe a specific day, then he should
follow his conscience. Whatever could not be done in faith, was to that man sin.

Romans 14:1-5, 14-23
Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.
For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.
Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does
not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge
another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be
made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day
above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in
his own mind... I know and am convinced by the Lord Yahshua that there is
nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to
him it is unclean... All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats
with offense... Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he
who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is
condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not
from faith is sin.

To those whose conscience is troubled at eating things the Law declared to be
unclean, I say “Do not eat such things.” At the same time, do not condemn your
brothers and sisters who have freedom. You who have the liberty in Christ to eat all
things, do not despise the one whose conscience will not permit him to do so. Let love
be the motive behind our words and actions.
If you are led to observe the weekly Sabbath as a day of rest, I do not condemn
you. At the same time, I urge you to not confuse the observance of the shadow with