FAITH: Comes by Hearing the Word of God
Romans 14:13–14: Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
FAITH: Comes by Studying the Word of God
The word for “stumbling block” means something carelessly left about over which someone stumbles. We must determine not to be a witting or unwitting cause of a weaker brother’s stumbling as we exercise our Christian freedom. Our Christian lives must be salted with a refusal to do anything that will harm the spiritual life of weaker brothers. Paul gives us the rationale behind this call to careful living. In averring that “no food is unclean in itself,” the apostle was agreeing with Jesus, that nothing that man eats defiles him. Inanimate things such as food and drink are morally neutral. Things have no moral qualities. However, “if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.” So if a new Jewish believer feels (however wrongly) that certain meats are unclean and should not be eaten, they are truly unclean to him, and he would sin by partaking and would be in danger of moral shipwreck. 1
FAITH: Comes by Obeying the Word of God
He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 1 John 2:10
True Christianity is lived out in the light of Jesus, and shown in our love for others.
FAITH: Comes by Experiencing the Transforming Work of God
Our freedom in Christ is to serve, and not to stumble others.
FAITH: Comes by Praying with the Word of God
That you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ. Philippians 1:10
Dear Father, teach me to serve with excellence and sincerity, and without offense.
1. Hughes, R. K. (1991). Romans: righteousness from heaven (p. 268). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
