Christian liberty
(J.R. Miller)
We should keep watch over
our words and deeds, not only
in their intent and purpose--
but also in their possible
influence over others.
There may be liberties which
lead to no danger for us--
but which to others with less
stable character, and less
wholesome environments--
would be full of peril.
It is part of our duty to think
of these weaker ones, and
of the influence of our
example upon them.
We may not do anything
in our liberty, which might
possibly harm others. We must
be willing to sacrifice our liberty--
if by its exercise, we endanger
another's soul. This is the
teaching of holy Scripture:
"Therefore let us pursue the things
which make for peace and the things
by which one may edify another."
Romans 14:19
"Do not destroy the work of GOD
for the sake of food. All food is clean,
but it is wrong for a man to eat anything
that causes someone else to stumble.
It is better not to eat meat or drink wine
or to do anything else that will cause
your brother to fall." Romans 14:20-21
"Be careful, however, that the exercise
of your freedom does not become a
stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone
with a weak conscience sees you who
have this knowledge eating in an idol's
temple, won't he be emboldened to eat
what has been sacrificed to idols?
So this weak brother, for whom CHRIST
died, is destroyed by your knowledge.
When you sin against your brothers in
this way and wound their weak conscience--
you sin against CHRIST. Therefore, if what
I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will
never eat meat again, so that I will not cause
him to fall." 1 Corinthians 8:9-13
"All things are lawful for me, but not all
things are helpful; all things are lawful
for me, but not all things edify. Nobody
should seek his own good, but the good
of others." 1 Corinthians 10:23-24
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
GraceGems has published Timothy Shay Arthur's insightful 5 page article,
"My Father".
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment