Happy Tuesday to you all (y’all?)…I still just don’t feel quite right saying y’all…it doesn’t flow naturally, at least not yet. Anyways…it’s a little cooler outside today! Yay. Not quite cool enough for snow unfortunately, but it’s starting to feel a little more like the end of November. Speaking of the end of November, last night James and I drove through downtown Grapevine, and wow, they sure know how to decorate! There were lights everywhere, as well as a timed musical display in the town center. Very cool. We will definitely have to go back and explore some more.
So this morning I read from Romans again, and came across this verse…
“It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that will cause your brother to stumble.”
Romans 14:21
Now, this isn’t saying that we all need to become vegetarians. Meat is emphasized here because most Jews at the time this was written did not eat many types of meat—they were considered unclean according to their laws. But, according to Paul’s vision earlier in Acts, no meats were to be considered unclean anymore. This of course caused conflict between the Jews, as some wished to adhere to the old laws, while others did not. What this verse is saying however is that if the eating of meat causes a brother or sister in Christ to stumble in their faith, or if doing so causes division and strife, it is best to abstain from it. Eating meat was a religious issue, and Paul did not wish for it to become a stumbling block that caused division within the church. Unity is important, even if creating it brings about some sort of physical compromise.
This verse doesn’t just apply to the New Testament. Say you have a friend who used to be an alcoholic, but was recently set free from addiction, and is trying to get their life back on track. The last thing that you should do is take that friend out to a bar for a drink. Doing so will only set them back in their recovery, and cause them to stumble in their faith. The same principle can be applied to any situation. If something causes a brother or sister in Christ to stumble in their faith, don’t do it—even if it means giving up something that you enjoy to do so.
Well, I hope you all are having a great day so far! If you happen to be near some snow, go make a snowball for me…haha. God Bless:)