Saturday, January 12, 2013

"Nobody Should Seek His Own Good, But The Good Of Others."

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 edifyNobody 
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".

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