Romans 14:13-23

Do Not Cause Another to Stumble

Romans 14:13-23

This week our pastor appeared up front and said that he was leaving his job, he said more than that but that part was a family issue. What he did say was that he found that he hated his job.  Our church is a seeker style church and we have a lot of young Christians. Can you imagine how that went over with them? I have seen many pastors come and go so to other churches and some to retirement. I have never had one so bluntly state his feelings about his position. I am sure within the next few weeks we will see a dramatic drop in attendance. Those young Christians may be again turned off to God. Paul speaks to this directly in these verses.

The pastor of a church is the “Senior Elder”. Biblical rules found on Elders can be read in Titus 1:1-16. I realize that Paul is talking about food and other items. This all related in the concept of what he said about his job, he hated it. So the words spoken at each sermon were they true of not. Satan only needs a small seed to create doubt.

Rom 14:13  So let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

Life Application New Testament Commentary:

14:13 Believers are to not judge one another regarding their convictions on matters of opinion. Here Paul directs his words to the “strong” believers, explaining that they need to be sensitive about how their convictions affect other believers. Each believer, though free to have his or her own convictions, must also be careful that those convictions don’t put an obstacle in another Christian’s path. And if they do, then those freedoms must be reevaluated.

Both “strong” and “weak” Christians can cause their brothers and sisters to stumble. A stumbling block or obstacle refers to something that might cause someone to trip or fall into sin. The strong but insensitive Christian may flaunt his or her freedom, be a harmful example, and thus offend others’ consciences. The scrupulous but weak Christian may try to fence others in with petty rules and regulations, thus causing dissension. Paul wants his readers to be both strong in the faith and sensitive to others’ needs. Because we are all strong in certain areas and weak in others, we constantly need to monitor the effects of our behavior on others (see also 1Co_8:9).

Rom 14:14  I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. Rom 14:15  And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don't let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. Rom 14:16  Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good.

Bottom line on these three versus is that you need to try not to insult or offend your fellow Christians. If you have a dinner party and you have a person that was a recovering alcoholic, it would be best to not offer alcohol with the meal even if you have that person’s approval to do so. You are in some ways responsible for that person soul and that is extremely important.

Rom 14:17  For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Rom 14:18  If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. Rom 14:19  So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

We have a small group that we attend. This group is great for help if needed, building you up if you need that. This is what Christians are supposed to do for each other.

Rom 14:20  Don't tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. Rom 14:21  It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. Rom 14:22  You may believe there's nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don't feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right.

Self-explanatory.

Rom 14:23  But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.

Life Application New Testament Commentary:

4:23 If a believer does something that he or she has doubts about whether it is right or wrong, that action will bring condemnation. Believers ought to try to steer clear of actions forbidden by Scripture, of course, but sometimes Scripture is silent. Then we should follow our conscience. To go against a conviction will leave a person with a guilty or uneasy conscience. When God shows us that something is wrong for us, we should avoid it. But we should not look down on other Christians who exercise their freedom in those areas.