| Romans 14:20-23 "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. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin." What is the "work of God"? It's the work that God wants to do on His people. The work of God is to shape our life to be more and more like Jesus Christ. In the process of growing the spiritual life, salvation takes place instantaneously, but our life takes a lifetime to grow. That's why some Christians aren't really Christ-like in any aspect of His life. It doesn't mean that they don't have God's life inside, but the life is much like one of a baby, who still needs to grow into maturity. No infant can walk since birth; babies begin in the mothers' arms, gradually start to crawl, then sit, and finally walk. When children first learn to walk, they need support from the parents and they will stumble and fall, but that's how all children slowly grow up. In the same manner, our spiritual life often grows while we stumble and fall; therefore, during the process of our spiritual growth, we ought to edify and support one another. Paul repeatedly reminded us not to make brothers and sisters stumble because of food; actually, not only can food cause people to stumble, the words from our mouths can often weaken people, therefore we must be cautious of what we say. Sometimes a word of criticism and judgment can hurt some tremendously. That's why Paul told us, in Ephesians chapters four and five, not to lie and but to speak the truth in love, not to speak unwholesome language but to speak to build up others and to give thanks. That's how we can truly support and encourage one another in Christ. In additional, our behavior in life may also stumble people. What would you think if you run into me, who's a pastor, in a casino? Sometimes we hold pastors to higher standard, but we forget that our own action and behavior will also affect the non-Christians around us. May God have mercy on us, not to hinder anyone from accepting our faith. Have you ever forsaken brothers and sister in words or action? If so, ask God to forgive you and proactively seek their forgiveness. Pray with Pastor Tong Liu 
Lord, please pour down your love on us; give us a sensitive heart to watch what we say and do, so that no one would stumble in their faith because of us. If we have forsaken others in the past, please give us courage and love of Christ to seek forgiveness from you and from those we have forsaken. Help us and give us courage to discipline ourselves. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen! |
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