SCRIPTURE: Romans (NIV) 14:13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling-block or obstacle in your brother’s way. 14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.
OBSERVATION: What wonderful freedoms we have in Jesus. Yet in these verses, Paul gives two very important limitations on our freedoms.
First is my own conscience. I should not do what I believe is wrong, no matter what others are doing. Why would I do something I believe would be offensive to God?
Second is doing what would be a stumbling block to a brother or sister in the Lord. If I know my actions would be a cause for someone to be tempted to turn away from the way God is leading them, I should refrain from exercising my freedom.
APPLICATION: In this chapter, Paul mentions two areas where this is applicable: in verse 5, he talks about what days we worship, and in verse 14 he deals with eating clean or unclean food. In 1Corinthians 8 Paul deals with foods that have been to an idol.
If Paul was writing this today surely, he would have added several issues: styles of worship and styles of clothing. What freedoms we have in Christ, yet we can easily hurt others.
What is needed is not more laws to limit our freedoms, but more love for one another. It is a loving thing to sacrifice one’s freedom in love for another.
PRAYER: Lord, make me aware of how I may be offensive to someone you love dearly. Use me to encourage and strengthen them and not push them away. And, Lord, help me be mature enough to not be easily offended. Amen
Pastor Leon
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