Wednesday, 1 January 2014
It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. Romans 14:21
Again, as Paul has done on several occasions in this chapter, he gives a very short, concise, and clear statement. If your brother is offended by your eating habits or by your wine drinking then don’t do them around him. Instead, that is what you have a house for. If we cause another to “stumble” or be “offended” or “made weak” we have sinned against a person for whom Christ died. Is it worth causing this type of disruption in another’s life just to engage in eating and drinking? No.
The kingdom of God is not about meat and wine, but about righteousness, holiness, and glorifying God. He has given us these things during this life to enjoy but not at the expense of fellowship and harmony within the body of believers.
Life application: Use empathy towards those around you. Don’t have a belligerent attitude over “doubtful matters” but rather live at peace with those who are of the faith. We’ll be spending eternity together, so why should we be fighting about these things now?
Lord Jesus, here we are at the beginning of a new year. Please help me to live out this year in a way which is honoring to You and helpful to those around me. Thank You for the life You have given me. May I use it to faithfully serve You. Amen.