Contextual Sins

Scripture: "and so by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble." 1 Corinthians 8: 12-13

Observation: There are things that are ok in some settings and not in others. This is not a double standard. A double standard would occur if you treated one group different than the other. It is not being two faced. Two-faced behavior occurs when you attempt to elevate yourself by playing both sides of an argument. Paul is not doing that here. His motivation is the building up of other believers. He is not calling the act a sin; the act itself is not. He is attacking the result of the act on weak believers. If an act, in its context, results in a negative impact on a believe then you should avoid it.

Application: Man I hate to admit this, but many times I could give a rip about my brother stumbling when it comes between me and something I really want. It ticks me off. Just the thought of having to adjust my lifestyle due to the fact that another person may look and judge me causes my blood to boil. Why should I have to suffer loss of joy just because someone decides to look down and cast judgment over me? That is often the question that rolls through my mind.

As I sit here this morning I am coming to realize something; we are all in this together. I have a responsibility to live a life that not only helps me, but builds up another. My heart should break when another brother stumbles due to an action he observed in my life. I should truly care about the culture I am in and be careful to not take part in something that results in a sin against another.

Prayer: My appetite for pleasure knows no bounds. It will consume anyone that gets in its path. I need to die to myself. I need to be able to say know to anything at anytime. My struggle is that I allow things to become familiar and take comfort in them. Once this happens, it becomes hard to deny myself of them. Help me to stop this cycle and learn to take comfort in You, not the gifts You provide.

I also need Your help in having a heart of compassion on those around me who I can cause to stumble. Instead of reacting to these people with disdain and contempt, teach me to take pleasure in bringing discipline to my body that will produce an eternal reward for both myself and those who are attached to my life.

You are a great and mighty God. The only God. Your Grace to me is amazing. I deserve much less that You reward me with and my sins against You should bring much more discipline than You provide. Serving You is an honor that I often take for granted. Guide my steps today and allow me to grow in my wisdom of Your word and ways.