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Ladies Daily Devotional
4-18-08
All Scripture is taken from the NKJ Version unless stated.
OBC LADIES 4-18-08 Do Not Cause a Brother to Stumble
By Amy Brown
"…But judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way" –(Rom 14:13b KJV)
The context of this passage shows that the early Church had differing opinions about what they could eat and whether or not one day was to be esteemed above another. In verses 1-2 of Romans 14, Paul calls those who were not knowledgeable about being able to eat all things "weak in the faith". He admonishes those who knew all things were lawful to eat to "not despise him that eateth not…for God hath received him". Continuing in the chapter, Paul states in verses 14-15:
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself…but if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. [KJV]
Paul KNEW it was ok for him to eat meat, but if it caused his weaker brother to stumble in any way, he would refrain. He makes it clear that all should follow this example in verse 21.
It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. [KJV]
As Christians, if we know a brother or sister struggles with something that may be permissible, but offends their conscience, we are to defer to them, not judging or thinking less of them. For instance, Muslims have certain dietary restrictions. If a Muslim is converted to Christ, being young in the faith, they may struggle with the fact that they are able to eat things they were forbidden to partake of before. We should be considerate of these kinds of situations while helping those to strengthen their faith.
Let me be clear here. This DOES NOT apply when it comes to doctrinal differences. We are not free to indulge error or false teaching of any kind. On the contrary, it should be exposed and done away with.
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." -(Ephesians 5:11 KJV)
"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." -(Romans 16:17 KJV)
It is in matters that fall into the realm of opinion that we must be considerate of each other, careful not to present a stumbling block of any kind.
"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit." -(Romans 14:17 KJV )
QUESTIONS
1. Give an example of a possible "stumbling block" for a sister or brother.
2. What does it mean to "stumble"?
3. Give an example from scripture of a person or person(s) who stumbled. Detail what it was that made them stumble.
4. Read Leviticus 19:14 and tell how that relates to Romans 14.
5. Tell an example from scripture where the Lord placed a stumbling block. What was the reason?
6. "Let us not therefore __________ one another any more: but __________ this rather, that no man put a ______________ or an __________ to ________ in his brother's way." (Romans 14:13 KJV)
7. Cite a scripture that tells how a liberty in Christ might affect those who are weak.
8. How should we treat our weaker brothers and sisters? Give scripture to support your answer.
9. List some ways in which you could encourage a weaker brother or sister. Share these with your classmates so everyone will have a list to draw from.
10. "But take ________ lest by any means this _________ of yours become a _______________ to them that are ________." (I Corinthians 8:9 KJV)
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All Scripture is taken from the NKJ Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson,Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today's devotional article will also be posted with the Archived OBC Courses on our Home Page. If you are looking for some good Bible class material take a look at this page on our web site. We also have archived OBC Youth Lessons. We always enjoy getting feedback from those who use any of our archived materials.
OBC Ladies Daily Devotional is a part of the Online Bible Class sponsored by the St. George Church of Christ in St. George, Utah. Visit our Web Site and see all our Bible study opportunities which we invite you to be a part of and to enroll your friends! OBC Ladies Daily Devotional Archives Link:
http://www.stgcoc.com/for_women%20Main1.htm
If you have questions or comments etc..., please feel free to contact: Billie Duty ladiesdevo@hotmail.com or Sandy Ditoro sjditoro@hotmail.com sjditoro@gmail.com .
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