But just because she knows how to stand doesn’t mean she
always should.
She got a shiny red wagon for Christmas this year and loves
to go on wagon rides around the block as she inquisitively takes in the things
to see. Every once in a while I will
turn back to look at her to see her standing, barely holding on to the
protective side rail. I tell her, for
her safety, she has to sit down before we can move on.
You see just because she can stand doesn’t mean she always
should.
Likewise, Paul reminds us of our Christian liberty in Romans
14. Romans 14 shows us the relationship
between a mature Christian and a young Christian. The issue at hand was eating food. The mature Christians saw it permissible to
eat all foods, while the younger Christians were feeling guilty about eating
certain meats. The Lord has granted us
many freedoms in Christ that we can enjoy.
For example: a glass of wine, country music, and eating meat just to
name a few.
But just because we can enjoy these Christian liberties
doesn’t mean we always should. Paul
gives us two reasons we should not indulge in these areas:
1. We should abstain from certain activities if we do not
have the appropriate measure of faith to perform them. Romans 14:23b says, “For whatever does not
proceed from faith is sin.” If you are
forcing yourself to drink a glass of wine, and are feeling guilty about it, then
it’s best that you don’t drink that glass of wine because it isn’t coming from
faith.
2. As the first, we should refrain from these liberties if
it causes our brother or sister in Christ to stumble. Romans 14:15 says, “For if your brother is
grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for
whom Christ has died.” Sometimes my
activities can tempt someone else to sin.
Therefore it is better to deny my flesh in order to love my brother or
sister, than to enjoy these liberties and tempt them to sin.
Next time you are sitting alone enjoying the chill of the
evening air, sipping your glass of white wine while listening to some classical
country music on your front porch, you can thank God for giving you the freedom
to enjoy such pleasures in faith. (Sounds nice, I think I will pour me a tall
glass of A&W Root Beer while I listen to Brad Paisley tonight).
