Mutual Edification

Romans 14:13-21

13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

When faced with conflicts with others over issues that are non-essential, instead of judging them and holding them in low esteem, we have another place to focus our attention! Instead of working to get folks to agree with us, let’s make sure and protect their faith!

  1. Stop Putting Obstacles in Another’s Way

 

  1. A different focus than arguing a topic

I Corinthians 8: 1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God.[a]

4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

7 But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.

 

 

  1. Want what is best for another’s faith

Act in the best interest of the faith of others. How can I participate in your life in a manner that best helps to build your faith?

 

 

  1. Be considerate of others

Think about where people are in their relationship with God and   take the initiative to love them forward!

Let’s balance the idea of love and disputable issues. If the issue   is not disputable, then rebuke is in order.

 

  1. The Problem with Freedom

 

  1. It is not the highest value

16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

 

 

  1. It is attached to responsibility

If we do not manage our responsibilities, we lose our freedoms!

 

 

  1. It is to be voluntarily given up

You are most free when you voluntarily give up your rights for     the good of others!

 

 

III. Pursue Higher Values

19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

 

  1. Protect peace in relationships

Make every effort. That means you are to be the one being rejected, not doing the rejecting right? Every effort. Do what leads to peace in a relationship. Again, it is important to remember that we are talking about issues that are not essential issues. And we should be careful about establishing those.

 

  1. Love is more important than food

Eating food sacrificed to idols. Eating food is essential, but eating that food when you are around to be offended is not.

 

  1. Demonstrate practical humility

I do not have to claim my rights. I recognize that it is Christ-like to promote unity, discipleship, helping people follow Jesus. That means that they go from where they are toward Jesus. Toward humility is toward Jesus. It is easier to separate from people.

And just because you are strong willed does not mean that you should always get your way. It is no demonstration of great character to always demand your way.