It is decreed that among the clergy, presbyters and deacons who abstain from flesh shall taste of it, and afterwards, if they shall so please, may abstain. But if they disdain it, and will not even eat herbs served with flesh, but disobey the canon, let them be removed from their order.
Some elders and deacons had begun to abstain from meat. When presented food with meat, they were to taste it then beg from eating. However, if they took the more extreme approach of not even eating vegetables that were served with meat, they were to be deposed. Such conduct was considered beyond what was proper drawing attention to the person when humility was in order.
There are workers of the church today who conduct themselves much as the Pharisee and say, "God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get," thinking that they can be exalted by their works. When in fact the correct way is for him to "not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'" (Luke 18:11-13)
May our prayer be like Peter's:
Some elders and deacons had begun to abstain from meat. When presented food with meat, they were to taste it then beg from eating. However, if they took the more extreme approach of not even eating vegetables that were served with meat, they were to be deposed. Such conduct was considered beyond what was proper drawing attention to the person when humility was in order.
There are workers of the church today who conduct themselves much as the Pharisee and say, "God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get," thinking that they can be exalted by their works. When in fact the correct way is for him to "not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'" (Luke 18:11-13)
May our prayer be like Peter's:
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11)
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