STUMBLE Romans 14 Gone Fishing Series October 8th Pastor Josh & Pastor Roger 9 AM

There are no two humans alike; even twins have different personalities. Each person has been given a level of faith. Our faith comes from God! Who are we to try to make people fit into any religious box? Jesus has set us free, so we should be enjoying our freedom. Yet, as we learn in Romans 14, our freedom should not be at the cost of someone else stumbling. What we believe as our freedom might disagree with someone else’s freedom, and we are not to superimpose ourselves on them.

Some Believers tend to be more legalistic, such as with what they eat and when they gather to worship. For others, they don’t make what they eat a big deal or what day they worship; they ask God to bless all food and are willing to worship the Lord together on any day. Romans 14:3-4 says to not look down on each other or condemn. We are to honor each other’s beliefs in these minor issues. The Lord will judge and approve what is acceptable. If someone is doing something to honor the Lord, who are we to question it?

The Lord commands us to live in a way that does not cause others to stumble. Our freedom can only go as far as whether it respects those around us. Believers can be divided by pity issues, just like a dysfunctional family. We don’t want to lead people out of sin and into church dysfunction. We want new believers to join a family full of people who love Jesus and each other unconditionally. Each person must follow their conviction and yet consider other people’s convictions. If another believer is distressed by what we eat, we have caused them to stumble and will be judged by God.

The kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink but a life of goodness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (vs. 17). Let us evolve to the higher life where we don’t get so easily tripped by one another’s opinions and preferences. Let’s have an eternal focus, our minds set on the King and His kingdom.