As a teenager I was very focused on, among other things, knowing what I could and could not do and what I was or was not allowed to do. As a person who likes to know the facts, that was very important to me. My mother was usually pretty clear about what was or was not permissible, so any “mistake in understanding” there was usually entirely on my part. I was not really a “test the waters” kind of child, but I did have moments when I was a little mouthy. And my mom, either after or before exercising discipline on me, would say, “other kids may do that, but not you. I will not tolerate that in this house, under my roof.”
And, of course, I occasionally heard a rather sternly delivered “if so-and-so jumped off of a bridge, would you do it too?” Thank the Lord that even at a young age He ensured that I was wise enough to know that an answer to that question was neither required nor welcomed. And joining the nostalgic group of “parentism” phrases (yes, there is no such thing as parentism. I brilliantly made it up. But you get my point though) is one of the all time kickers: XYZ is on his way to a butt-whipping, are you sure that you want to join them?” That one was always delivered with one eyebrow arched, lips pursed, and hands on hips.
All of these zingers that were released by parents or other authority figures seem to point to the same concept, a concept wonderfully illustrated by a minister from my childhood who often said, “others may, but I cannot.” That phrase, for some reason, has stuck with me over the years. The first time that I heard that phrase was during a sermon given by said minister in which he explained that just because other people are free to do something, that does not necessarily mean that we are free to do that same thing, even if that “thing” is generally permitted by God.
This is the concept that the Apostle Paul was conveying to the church in Rome in Romans 14:19 NIV, where he says, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” In this portion of Scripture, Paul is clarifying for the church in Rome how stronger Christians are to behave when around weaker Christians and vice versa. He mentions that even though certain behaviors are permissible in Christ, such as eating just about anything, considering certain days to be sacred, etc., we are never to engage in activities that will cause a fellow Christ-follower to falter. He addresses this by saying, “The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand” Romans 14:3-4 NIV.
He goes on to say, “For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” Romans 14:7-8 NIV. We are God’s creation, we are not our own design. And God is concerned about people and holiness, and how He expects and desires for the two to go together. For that to happen we must know Him and we must allow His love to flow through us to others.
Paul essentially wraps up his discourse on this concept by saying, “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. 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. 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. Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval” Romans 14:13-18 NIV.
Lord, may our words, thoughts, and deeds lead to mutual edification and the perpetuation of peace, bringing honor and glory to your name. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen!
Be blessed. #sanguinemango
Sanguine Mango 