For the sake of our brethren

It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

Romans 14:21

Paul admonishes charity for a brother who is weak in the faith (Romans 14:15) and that more mature brethren should do nothing that will affect a brother in Christ. Just as the Lord Jesus will not even quench a smoking flax or break a bruised reed (Isaiah 42:3), we need to bear the infirmities of the weak and help them with their spiritual weaknesses by curbing our personal likes or desires that are not sinful in themselves but hurt a younger, less mature Christian in the Lord.

There are three ways we can hurt a young believer in Christ.

We can stumble by our harmless actions. A stumbling block is an obstacle in the way that prevents the growth of an individual. Hypothetically, if a young Christian, whose tender conscience believes that Christians should not drink cola because it has caffeine but sees an older believer drinking cola, he may become confused in his minds and be greatly affected, even though drinking cola isn’t necessarily a sin. Many Christians have been stumbled this way when an elder, insensitive Christian does something that is within their rights, but without consideration of other younger believers’ immature conscience.

We may also offend them by our harmless actions. An offence refers to an injury or anger, intended or no. In the context of this passage, it appears that the offence by the Roman Christians was intended as Paul had to rebuke them for their pride and lack of love for the believers. An intentional offence needs to be repented of for the sake of a young believer. An unintentional offence needs to be noted and great caution taken to prevent its repetition, again for the sake of the young believer. We remember the Lord’s Word when He said, “Woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” (Matthew 18:7)

Lastly, we may weaken them. The word “weaken” implies a reduction in strength and spirit. When we insist on our rights of action and life, we can weaken or reduce the strength and spirit of a younger brother. He may have decided to serve the Lord and seek His help in service, but when another Christian acts in a self-centred fashion that stumbles and offends, the former’s spiritual fervour may be dampened and discouraged through the offence.

Paul admonishes those who are matured in the faith to consider that it is good (kind) towards the younger believer when we exercise this restraint of personal rights for the sake of others.

The weak brother stumbled, offended and weakened may take heart that being in the hand of God will see to his faith, development and growth. God, as a loving Father, will perfect that which concerns us. However, the offended and stumbled believer needs to decide if he will grow through the experience or allow a permanent state of stunted growth.

Lord, as You denied yourself in this life for the sake of others, may we die to ourselves for the sake of others coming to Christ.

Written by: Pastor Johnny Tan
Edited by: Timothy Lee
Image Credit: Judit Klien, Flickr