JOYFULLY CLEAR A PATH FOR YOUR BROTHER
Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling
block or obstacle in your brother’s way. I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that
nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is
unclean. If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by
your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good,
then, to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but
of righteousness, peace, and joyG5479 in the Holy Spirit. For whoever serves Christ in this way is
pleasing to God and approved by men.
Romans 14:13-18
The point of this passage is that the way we behave affects those with whom we are in relationship. What we do has a rippling effect to those in our sphere of influence. Our concern for our brothers and sisters in Christ should outweigh the exercise of our freedom in Christ. There are many things that are not “sin” in and of themselves that can adversely impact other believers. For example, a person may enjoy a glass of wine with a meal; but that person should consider how exercising this freedom may appear to a brother who struggles with alcoholism. If someone, as an adult, exercises his or her freedom to drink in moderation, what example or precedent may be set for their children? The Bible does not say to never drink. However, it does say:
Ephesians 5:18-20 (VOICE) Don’t drink wine excessively. The drunken path is a reckless path. It leads nowhere. Instead, let God fill you with the Holy Spirit. When you are filled with the Spirit, you are empowered to speak to each other in the soulful words of pious songs, hymns, and spiritual songs; to sing and make music with your hearts attuned to God; and to give thanks to God the Father every day through the name of our Lord Jesus the Anointed for all He has done.
The easiest way to avoid being drunk, of course, is to not drink at all; but that is a prayerful choice each Christian must make according to his or her own convictions. An excerpt from the commentary before Romans 15 in The Voice Bible may help as you sort out your own convictions on this topic:
Personal freedom must always give way to corporate responsibility. To put it another way, the gospel of love demands that we surrender individual liberties for the sake of our brothers and sisters. (51)
Note in THE VOICE Bible
Are you conscientious about how your words and behavior may edify or cause stumbling? Are you committed to contributing to righteousness, peace, and joy among the body of believers?
Father, make us keenly aware of how our actions, especially the exercise of the freedom we have in Jesus, impact our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Contemplate how we can help a brother or sister up rather than judge them as you listen to Joseph Habedank share “The Basement” which is a testimony to his own deliverance:
Remember, also, to intercede for your brothers and sisters in Christ. Listen to Wes Hampton singing “I’ll Pray for You”