Caring For THose Around Me

1 Corinthians 8:9-13

New King James Version (NKJV)

9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. 


Romans 14:21-23

New King James Version (NKJV)

21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.


Are you genuinely concerned about your brothers and sisters in Christ? Do you believe that you have an impact on what they say or do? Do you have a genuine concern for the lost? Do you believe you have an impact on what they believe about Jesus? I am often faced with issues from people who are Christians, but their struggle is surrendering all the aspects of their life to Jesus Christ. They just have so many things that they want to do and they see everything in competition with Jesus. So I started looking at the scriptures asking, why were those who made it in the Bible different? What set Paul apart? What made Peter different? I believe I found it in two scriptures, 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 and Romans 14:21-23. 


These scriptures are talking about eating meat. There was concern about eating meat that was sacrificed to idols and the sin there in. Paul talks about one's knowledge, strength and one knowing the Truth and being free having liberty in this area. However, he defines it all for us in a very powerful way when He says, 'if food makes my brother stumble I will never again eat meat.' You see Paul said it doesn't matter how big or small something is I will focus on the impact it has on the Kingdom! That is what you and I must do. When we allow the Holy Spirit to take over and when we think spiritually and supernaturally we will do whatever it takes to keep our brothers and sisters from sin. Then Paul goes one step further in Romans 14:21-23 and says to us, happy is one who does not condemn himself in what he approves? Well that adds a whole new element to the fire. What you approve can condemn you. It didn't say what you participate in, it said what you approve? So be careful in your conversations about what is ok and what is not. When we approve things we must know that God approves those same things. 



Once again to the great people of The Way Church you should have read Esther 1-3 yesterday. Today read Esther 4-6. Tomorrow read Esther 7-10. You will be super ready for service Sunday. Hey why not have a little family time and discuss what has taken place in the first six chapters of Esther. It will be nice. Husbands take the lead, wives if you know he doesn't read these blogs, read it to him and politely and gently suggest that you do what the pastor suggested. 


RAK CHAZAK,


Brother Big Daddy

---