“Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.”
Romans 14:13
Someone said “just because you can does not mean you should”. Apostle Paul didn’t say, “I’m free in Christ, so I don’t care what anybody thinks.” He said, “My life is to be a help, not a hindrance…a stepping stone, not a stumbling block.”
Some sheep could move faster than others, but the shepherd keeps them together. We should be willing to adjust, and if necessary, forfeit our liberties and rights, in order to be a stepping stone, and not a stumbling block.
A lot of people in the lost world around us are so turned off at the notion that Christianity is just a bunch of rules that will ruin their fun. Friend, it’s not rules, it’s a relationship, and we need to get back to sending that message. Giving something up is not a drag if it is your choice, but you will rebel if it is mandated to you. I’ve given up a lot of things, and it was my choice, and a happy one indeed.
It’s not, “I’m free to do what I want”, but “I’m free to do what’s right, considering my brothers and sisters around me because every day I affect others around me. It’s not worth harming a weaker brother just because you have the right to exercise your Christian liberty. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Now, just as we can influence others to the negative just by being insensitive, we can influence others to the positive by showing them that the kingdom of God is not things, not externals, it’s rather a real, deep down relationship that changes you from the inside out.
Again, the issue is not whether you think something is wrong. The question is, would you be willing to give it up if it were a stumbling block to others?
Garment of Praise
Monthly Insights for Spiritual Growth, Encouragement and Personal Victory.
Oluyemisi Onanuga
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.
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