PROCLAMATION
“So then every one of
us shall give an account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge
one another any more; but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling
block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” Romans 14:12-13 (KJV)
EXPLANATION
These words were
written by the Apostle Paul under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God to
the believers in Rome. Paul began this chapter by stating that those
believers who are strong in the faith should not do anything that would
distress those who are weak in the faith. (Romans 14:1-9) Then he said
that we must all give an account of ourselves to God. Don’t judge someone
just because they do things differently. Don’t put anything in front of
our brother which would cause him to stumble. It is better for us to not
to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything else that would cause our brother or
sister to stumble and fall into sin. (Romans 14:21)
APPLICATION
We should conduct
ourselves in such a manner that we avoid any behavior or action which is wrong,
or even appears to be wrong. (1 Thessalonians 5:22) Even if we know it to be right, we should avoid
it if that behavior would cause our brother to stress out because he thinks
that it is wrong. We live our lives not just for ourselves alone.
What we do affects those around us. Not only should we avoid sin and
things which appear to be sinful, we should also avoid things that our less-knowledgeable
brother thinks is wrong, at least while we are in his presence. We who
are strong in the faith should not do anything that would cause those who are
weak in the faith to stumble and sin, or to wound their feelings, or to bother
their conscience. Just because we can do something does not mean that we
should do it. We should be mindful of the feelings of others, and
the effect that we have on them.
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