“Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” Romans 14:20-23
Devotional Thought For The Day
One of the constant problems among Christians and within churches is this whole matter of Christian freedom and pietism. There is no question that our sinful nature would expand freedom into all manner of sinful behavior. There is also no question that certain “free” behaviors can lead to sin: alcohol to drunkenness, food to gluttony, ambition to greed, saving to miserliness and idolatry, etc.. It is also a temptation of our sinful nature to turn Christianity into a new system of laws – do not taste, do not touch, do not look – shaping Christianity into a matter of “eating and drinking,” that is, into pietistical and sanctimonious asceticism, when in fact our renewed relationship with God in Christ Jesus is a matter of “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” [Rom. 14:17] There are many Christians who simply cannot accept the freedoms that Holy Scripture, God’s Word, affords to us and assures us of.
This creates conflict – those who have added to their consciences so that they believe certain free behaviors are sinful condemn those who are exercising their Christian freedom properly. Those with superior knowledge may press others to join them in true Christian freedom when this still violates the conscience of the weak brother – thus imperiling his faith, causing him to “stumble” into unbelief. All of this is forbidden and wrongful, not in keeping with love for one another or in accord with Christ’s will for all people – that all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.
The principle of Christian freedom is what it is – “I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself” [Rom. 14:14] and “everything is indeed clean.” Likewise, there is certainly danger in not living by faith and violating conscience, even when that conscience is in error – “it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean – whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” So the application of these principles is clear – do not encourage anyone to violate their own conscience even in matters of Christian freedom; but do not condemn others who are able to fully embrace and enjoy Christian freedom. The problem is that both sides seem to view this conflict as destructive of Christian fellowship and friendship – and those on each side want to condemn and reject those on the other side. So, over matters of adiaphora – Christian freedom – the body of Christ is divided, and some may end up in impenitence and unbelief. Lord, have mercy!
It may be difficult for us to accept that while our fellowship in Christ is fully shared with all Christians, there remain differences among Christians – some significant in that God’s Word is violated, and others which are completely inconsequential, matters of freedom. It is not God’s will for us to dis-fellowship another because he won’t drink a beer, or to dis-fellowship the one who does drink a beer. We are not to judge one another in matters of Christian freedom, but take great care to tend to one another’s heart and to build up faith and spiritual vitality in all. Unfortunately, there are many today who judge anything that personally offends them as “sin,” and cause for judgment and condemnation. They demand repentance when no need for repenting exists. So they condemn and reject others. In so doing they actually condemn themselves. If we acquiesce to their judgment, allow them to condemn Christian liberty, we are confirming them in impenitence and unbelief and condemnation. Lord, have mercy! May we all learn to love, to tread lightly, and to mind the spiritual health and nurture of others.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, even the simplest and most blessed things trip us up, and the evil one is able to turn good into evil, and evil into good in our minds. Protect and preserve us by Your powerful Word – that we understand the freedom You have given us and never violate conscience. Keep us from causing others to stumble, to violate their conscience, and to fall from faith. Keep us from unjustly and falsely accusing and condemning others. Enable Your disciples to continue growing in faith and love, in harmony and peace, as You teach us truth. Amen.