“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way” (Romans 14:13).
TEXT — Romans 14:10-22
Drivers sometimes see a “NO TURN ON RED” traffic sign at intersections. This regulatory sign warns drivers not to turn left or right while the Red light is on. They must wait for the Green light before making a turn.
Today’s passage deals with exercising liberty and the Christian attitude on morally neutral issues which believers hold different perspectives on. It illustrates the warning to believers to exercise their liberty with caution. That is, if your action will cause others to stumble, don’t turn on red!
Particularly in focus are Jewish dietary laws and observance of special feasts. Some Christians feel they are free to eat anything wholesome because Jesus, by His finished work of redemption has delivered us from the ceremonial laws of clean and unclean foods. But others, especially those of Jewish background, still feel they have an obligation to keep those laws. Therefore, they will feel either scandalised to see a believer eating anything ‘unclean’ or feel compelled to eat against their conscience because the majority are eating. Apostle Paul addresses the issue, stating that Christians are not to be judgmental or critical of others when they take a stand different from ours on actions that are not sinful. Instead, our interactions with other believers should be guided by love and thoughtfulness to avoid making them stumble or sin against their convictions.
We must realise that our choices and actions affect others significantly. Your dress, appearance, attitude, and lifestyle influence other people. Therefore, you should prioritise love and be determined to uplift others instead of seeking to please yourself or letting your convictions divide the church. There is no profit in being judgmental of others on the non-essentials of the faith. If you are strong in the faith, be at liberty to enjoy the provisions of Calvary with gratitude to God, but be considerate of others lest you make them stumble. Always be prepared to accommodate the harmless peculiarities of fellow believers and put their spiritual welfare above your pleasure.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
