Waaaaay back in the day – the day of the Old Testament – the people had a lot of dietary laws. There was quite a list of what they could not eat. In the New Testament, Jesus said, "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” Matthew 15:11 NKJV.
It was a new day. But there were still people who observed the dietary laws while others did not. Paul the apostle of Jesus Christ wanted people to understand that they shouldn't make a big deal about it. He explained,
The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Romans 14:3 NIV
Ok Denise, where are you going with this? What does this have to do with joy? I'm so glad you asked. In later verses Paul goes on to explain . . .
15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16 Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
This is what the Kingdom of God is about: righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Some people today still follow dietary laws. I have met Christians who do not eat seafood or catfish because of laws in the Old Testament.
Shrimp, lobster, and crab are some of my favorite foods. But it would be better for me to eat a cracker than offend someone. Why? Because I don't want my "good be spoken of as evil." I could be right, but what does it matter if I offend someone? It is not about rules and regulations. The Kingdom is about joy. This is God's order. This is what is normal in the Kingdom of God.
So that's the reason Romans 14:16-18 is the second verse in the Joy booklet. It's to remind us what the Kingdom of God is about . . . righteousness (being in right relationship with God), peace, and joy.
Joy is our way of life.
