SCRIPTURE
So then, we must pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another. Do not tear down God's work because of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong for a man to cause stumbling by what he eats. It is a noble thing not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother stumble. Do you have faith? Keep it to yourself before God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever doubts stands condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith, and everything that is not from faith is sin." (Romans 14:19-23)
OBSERVATION
Paul is concerned about how his life affects someone else. (This is obviously an important teaching because he also wrote about it in 1 Corinthians.) Living under grace brings freedom. There are no longer laws about clean and unclean food and special days of worship. However, Paul reminds the Romans, and Corinthians, and me, that this freedom is not to be misused. In what we approve (things that we know are not wrong in themselves, i.e. eating meat, drinking wine) we have to be careful not to condemn ourselves in the process by causing someone else to stumble.
APPLICATION
I've come across this theme a couple times in the last few weeks. Honestly, I don't want to be responsible for someone else's behavior. Ultimately they make the choice, but the bigger issue is that I do need to be concerned about the spiritual welfare of others. I know there are things that are not wrong in themselves (not commands or prohibitions of Jesus), but I need to be careful in the area of opinion and freedom so that someone who is convicted about something does not stumble. Some of the things my seem a little ridiculous...I knew people who thought playing cards was a sin. The thing that I approve of may not be a problem for my relationship with God. However, for someone else that very thing is a roadblock in their spiritual journey. So no matter what I think of the situation, what matters is what I think of the person. I need to have their best interest at heart, give up some of my freedom so they will not stumble. That is tough.
PRAYER
Lord, this is really a challenge at times. Give me the wisdom to do what is right, not for me, but for others. I don't want my life to be a stumbling block for others to get to know you.
