Thoughts From Romans 14 - Part 4

  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. 14 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.  Rom. 14:13,14

            I was on a visitation with a fellow deacon one night, driving on some roads in the middle of nowhere whose names ended in "hollow", when my partner started ranting about people who would hide Halloween candy that they liked at the local Wal-Mart and then the day after Halloween pull it out and it would be half priced. He was disgusted by that and thought it was the worst kind of dishonesty. When I heard him tell of this dastardly deed, my only thought was "What a great idea! Why didn't I think of that?" Of course, outwardly I agreed with him, inwardly I really didn't think it was wrong. Maybe my conscience is hard as granite and I know, in my mind I can justify a lot of things, but I could do this squirreling away with a clear conscience.

        There are a lot of activities like buying a lottery ticket when the prize gets up to a billion, that I could do but for someone else, whose conscience is set off by the thought of gambling, could not and should not do it because it is a sin. People have no problems drinking alcohol and dancing at weddings and I can't help but feel this is improper because I was raised that dancing and drinking is a sin. I know now it's not, but I can't help but picture Job at home offering sacrifices for his kids the next morning for partying sins.

        We've been talking about debatable issues and the next principle I would offer is that doing an activity that isn't forbidden in the Bible is permissible as long as it can be done with a clear conscience and you are sensitive to on-lookers who might think it is wrong. I am reminded of the Christmas card I received from the national leader of Young Life who had gone on a mountain climbing expedition with his family, and the card consisted of a picture of them all lifting a champagne filled glass, toasting their accomplishment saying, "To a great Christmas and Happy New Year." Was he not aware that many Christians find drinking alcohol to be one of those areas that can't be done with a clear conscience? What if someone who feels guilty about drinking starts because Christians that they admire are doing it. Are they causing their brother to sin? Yes. More on this later.