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Being A Stumbling Block - Luke 17
Being A Stumbling Block - Luke 17
“1 He said to His disciples, "It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! (Luke 17:1)
Jesus will gather out of His kingdom all such ‘stumbling blocks’ (Matt. 13.51). Therefore we are instructed in Romans 14:13 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.
We are to “… take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” (1 Corinthians 8:9)
Most people immediately respond saying “Am I my brother’s keeper?” While each of us will answer for ourselves to God our Judge, part of that will be based upon how we conducted ourselves as examples of righteousness. Some things, as in Romans 14, are to be abstained from simply because they set a wrong example. Such may come from the observer’s inaccurate understanding of right and wrong. We are, as we are able, to be mindful of their conscience and not plunge headlong into being an example of doing what they hold as sinful behavior.
Yes, we are to be mindful of our weaker brethren. We are to teach and instruct more accurately the way of truth. At the same time, while we are interacting with such brethren, we will give of our own liberties to keep from being a stumbling block to them.
Such a life of interaction with other disciples requires a lot of thought, self-inspection, and consideration towards others. Are you being a stumbling block?
Hugh DeLong
