We're reading Romans 14:13-23 for today.
We shouldn't be a stumbling block. I used to hate those words growing up because that's what I'd hear from my parents whenever I'd ask about why they didn't want me to go certain places or do certain things. I didn't agree with it or them. Well, that was then, and now, as I've grown older and hopefully wiser, my perspective has changed. So even though I believe that I have many freedoms in Christ, if I know someone has a particular belief, routine or whatever that differs from mine, then I try to respect that. It goes the other way too. Maybe I'm with someone and they do something I'm not comfortable with. If it's not something clearly wrong or sinful, then I try to be gracious. I don't always get it right but the bottom line is the more unity and building up we can do as part of the Body the better. Tami W.
I agree. Being a stumbling block to others, is something I don't want to be. Though it is also very hard to explain to unbelievers sometimes. Unbelievers see it as "not staying true to yourself". I disagree, I believe I am thinking of Christ first and how my actions could reflect upon Him. Secondly, I think how I could use my actions or non-actions to help bring others to Christ. I feel very much "in (Christ) control". I thank God now, unlike as you said as a child, for these opportunities. Praise God!
Hi Tami:
Stumbling block, hmmm. I still don't like that phrase. Here's why. I understand that there are times that I need to temporarily put aside my freedoms when my action may cause someone to sin. That is Biblical and I fully agree. That is voluntary and loving. In those cases I choose to not do something because of the way it might affect a real person. If, for example, I eat meat and have a vegetarian over for dinner, will I cook a vegetarian dish to show love? Sure. Will I never eat meat again? No, I still will. If I use credit cards (albeit wisely), will I go on a shopping spree charging things on plastic with a person who I know is going through credit and debt counseling? No, that would not be loving. Will I never use credit cards (wisely) again? No, I will would.
My issue with the stumbling block is several fold. First we tend to deal with a mythical person not a real person. I should then not do whatever because some person somewhere might sin. I disagree. Taking that logic to the extreme we never do anything because someone might sin. I temporarily lay aside my freedoms if I know my action actually causes a real person to sin.
The other problem I have is that we sometimes talk about offending our brother. There is a difference in someone not agreeing with my position (and being offended or just plain irritated) and someone actually being brought into sin because of my action. For the latter I need to temporarily set aside my freedom. For the former I still need to deal graciously but do not necessarily change my actions.
It boils down to the difference in giving up my freedom when it benefits the body of Christ and allowing my freedom to be robbed by someone who might not sin, but just disagrees with me.
In all things I try to be gracious.
I also struggle with this verse, although it is less now than before, I used to think why wouldn't some christians grow up. I was quick to judge others as being legalistic and immature in their faith, after all, the bible says "if Jesus sets you free you are free indeed".
But now I realized real maturity results in more responsibility, mature people are wiser and more sensitive to others and more discerning. I think spiritual maturity should be the same, Paul was saying that salvation is not a matter eating or drinking in other words self gratification but a matter of doing that which is right, (remember ephesians 2:10 saved "to do good works (righteousness) prepared in advanced for us to do").
But I have to say though that this does not apply to all kinds of issues, say for example some christians prefer hymns over contemporary style of singing praise, I don't think this applies to that and many other things that are just really plain selfish preference, I think in these kinds of cases selfishness needs to be pointed out rather than concern over a fake stumbling block.
What do y'all think?
Hi Tami,
I have found this verse a good guideline. When I first became a Christian, I didn't fully understand it. I didn't understand the impact my freedoms had on others, even those I didn't know.
I think too often we get stuck in our little community of "believers" and forget there is a whole nation of believers, some new babes in Christ, some very weak, and others strong believers. Paul is stating we have a responsibility to the body of Christ where ever we are. Paul is a good example and if I live by his instruction on the issue, I please God because I am doing it out of love and to honor God.
I used to volunteer as a facilitator for a Christian support/recovery group before my husband had a massive stroke. How I lived my life made a big difference. Although I have many freedoms in my faith, to have used those freedoms may have jeopardized the conscience of another in that group. It could have destoryed my testimony before the group. I had to live my life above reproach then and now so as to not commit what may appear as evil to someone else and have my good, evil spoken of. Is my freedom more important to me than seeing another grow in Christ? No, it is not. I will gladly lay down that which I have freedom to do if it shows love to the body of Christ and to those who are not free to do so. I think Paul was saying, What is more important, love or doing my own thing? Love is greater by far. It was love that compelled our Savior to lay His life down and pick it up again. It was His love for us. Surely I can lay down a simple freedom or two for the sake of love.
I meet a lot of people. I run into them all over the place. I would feel horrible if what I did or said tarnished my witness before them. I know that I sin and sometimes that catches me off guard, but to deliberately do something that might tarnish or destory my witness would cause me to hang my head in shame and grief before the Lord my God. It's much easier for me to not do those things that bring an offense to others or cause them to stumble rather than have them run into me somewhere and feel the need to point their finger at me thus destroying my testimony and witness to them.
Hi Tami,
I’m really enjoying reading the comments today, One of my Pleasures.
Over the weekend I read and had no thoughts, but today the thought button has been pushed somehow, Praise God.
Belinda, Insurance Guy, Alexb , preceded my reading and also Stimulated me. With the "opportunities" that are given, I want to be "sensitive", and “discerning”. I don’t want to forget about the freedom that the Lord God Almighty has given me. I want to think about what to say or do before hand. I can Choose to throw out the thoughts that don’t line up with the word, or not. "Renewing the Mind" to the word of God. That’s something to think about. "People perish for lack of knowledge". "Forgive them for they know not what they do."
I believe that I need to remember and take into consideration who I am talking to and what am setting an example of, Regarding their age, Their gender, especially when they are children. Their background in the word, or not, their background from their upbringing, knowledge level, are they Churched or not churched? Their Education, Their Ethnicity. Remembering that I don’t want to be offended is sometimes easier said, but with the Lord’s help I can do it.
To go to church or not to go, what is if anything is more important? What example is that? Do we place a value on setting an example? The stumbling block comes in many sizes and shapes. But, I know that my God will help me if I ask him. He works with what he has. Whether we are mature or not mature he will use us to be his witness if we allow him to.
If we seek first the Kingdom of God. Everything will fall into place. I do prefer certain things. And I like to be comfortable. But, I have come to find out that they all don’t contribute to me being what and who God wants me to be. Like eating vegetables, they are good for you. But some parents give in to giving their children only what they like. I personally don’t think we can grow into that healthy, well balanced person we are supposed to be, especially if we only eat candy.
I hadn't read this verse in a while, and it always brings up memories of drinking alcohol... I've stopped consuming alcohol as a Christian because I stumble myself with it. It has been many years now, and my tendency is to really scrutinize another brother/sister for drinking beer, wine, etc. I find it very difficult in this society to believe that a believer can pray before consuming any alcohol and have God give them a sense of peace about it. Anyway, another issue I had was lust, and talking to women as though I was interested in getting "closer" to them. It dawned on me one day what it would be like to run into one of those women at church--with my wife. How uncomfortable would I be, and would I cause another person to stumble? Very likely. Not to mention (though it should be mentioned first), how would my wife feel about me talking to a woman like that? Really hurt. So, God reminds me through Paul that I need to operate from faith, or from sin. Hmmmmmm that's not so hard, is it? hahaha