Romans 14:17-18

The people of Rome believed in many mythical gods. (Notice the little G.) If they wanted one thing, they prayed to the god who was over that issues. They were somewhat like Greek gods. The Romans who accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior had to realize that they only needed God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit.

Paul’s words here in verse 17 were probably difficult for him. You see, in Jewish culture, there were MANY unclean animals they could not eat. (Pork being one.) With Jesus and the New Covenant l, God showed Paul in a vision that he could in fact, eat much more than he was. (Acts 10:9-16) At times, the new Jewish Christians would fall back into the Old Covenant law. So, even after being told those animals were OK to eat, they probably weren’t.

Paul wanted them and us to realize that life with Holy Spirit includes goodness, peace, and joy. (Which are also fruit of the Spirit and already in us!) Being a Christian doesn’t mean we follow a list of unattainable rules. It means we live with a lot of really great people and a Heavenly Father who gives us good things.