Have you done your devotion for today? If not, heres one in Romans 14 Many preachers will teach that we shouldn’t be a “stumblingblock” (and I agree). (Romans 14:13b) …that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brothers way. This is a true teaching. We shouldn’t cause another to stumble but let’s take a closer look at this whole chapter. First of all notice the subject matter of this chapter: (Romans 14:1a) Him that is weak in the faith… Chapter 14’s subject matter is - people who are weak in the faith. Notice that Paul says, “Him” not “We” in this verse. Paul is directing it toward others, not himself for he is not weak in the faith, therefore he does not stumble over other’s actions. Now one might think that I am reading too much into this “him” word until one reads chapter 15: (Romans 15:1a) We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak,… Please notice that chapter 15’s subject matter is - people who are strong in the faith. Also notice that Paul uses the word “we” (including himself) not “him” (excluding himself). The first stumblingblock in chapter 14 is “doubtful disputations” meaning - Debating with one another over this or that (there are a variety of issues of their day listed in the chapter). Pointing out things people are doing or not doing; observing or not observing; etc… is being a stumblingblock. Yet how many preachers teach their people to do this? Either from the pulpit or by their actions. Many preachers are actually training God’s people to be weak in their faith. Paul says: (Romans 14:22) Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. (Romans 14:12) So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. No one else has to answer for what you allow yourself to do or what you allow in your family other than you. So you work those things out between you and God, not the preacher, deacon, elect lady of the church, etc… The second stumblingblock mentioned in this chapter is judging others. (Romans 14:4b) Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant?... In other words, if I am a servant of God and not a servant of you, than why judgest thou me? Judging someone else is actually putting yourself in the position of God. There are many pastors who view God’s people as their own servants, hence the judgment. The last stumblingblock mentioned is the action that you are doing. (Romans 14:15) But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. So, if what you’re doing causes your (weak in the faith) brother distress or sadness, act with charity (or love) for love bears the weakness of others (Rm. 15:1, I Cor. 13:7). Adjust your action because… (Romans 14:17) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:21) It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Of course I agree with all three forms of stumbling but the last stumblingblock seems to be the one preached on the most. The other two are seldom mentioned. My question is this – Why is it that the “drinking of wine” or the “anything else” mentioned in vs. 17 would cause most Christians to “stumble” or “be offended” or “made weak”? Answer – Because many Christians are being taught to be weak in their faith by their pastors.
Posted on: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 21:33:13 +0000
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