Sitting comfortably in their semi-lavishly furnished parlor on those leather sofas that make "squish squish" sound when you make even the slightest turn, this conversation began, after Okon, Bola and Kenneth just finished eating full bowls of Eba and richly garnished vegetable soup with chilled pure water from Mama Ekong's buka...
Okon: Eh...This Mama Ekong food no go kill person..Ehn..Una see Gloria when she waka come from church this hot afternoon.. Who dey go Church on Saturday?
Kenneth: A no no ooo, Saturday, wey person suppose take flex, rest, then, flex again...
Okon: Yes o, I even hear say for her church, Na only grass dem dey chop..U don hear that one before??
Bola: My brothers, you no suppose dey talk like that.. As una dey talk, I am very sure say God no dey happy...
Kenneth: Wetin concern God with the matter wey we dey yarn, Everything, God, We chop, God, We sleep, God, We Shit, God...we no fit talk now..God..
Okon: No mind am, on top say him pidgin no pure, Na so so God..Oya tell us wetin we talk wey vex God?
Bola: Ehn, Kenneth abeg bring my two Bibles come. Come see wetin God talk about this matter...In Romans 14..
1. Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.(MSG)
2. (NLT)For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables.
3 (NLT)Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.
Okon: Jesus, so this kind thing dey for inside Bible...
Bola: E never finish...
5 (NLT)In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable.
6 (NLT)Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God.
10 (NLT)So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
Kenneth: Ah!!! Me too o, I no know say this kind thing dey inside Bible...
Bola: 12 (NLT)Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.13 (NLT)So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
14 (NLT)I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong.
20a (NLT)Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable...
Okon & Kenneth: God, forgive us o, we no know...
Okon: Now wey I know, No be for my mouth una go hear that kind nonsense again...
#InspireMe#Feb2017
