"Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great."
~ Mark Twain
Why do you show contempt for your brother? ... resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way... let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another... whatever is not from faith is sin.
~ Romans 14:10,13,19,23 (NKJV)
~ Romans 14:10,13,19,23 (NKJV)
"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea."
~ Mark 9:42 (NKJV)
~ Mark 9:42 (NKJV)
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."
~ Peter 4:8 (NKJV)
~ Peter 4:8 (NKJV)
Whoever has been born of God does not sin ... In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
~ 1 John 3:9-10 (NKJV)
~ 1 John 3:9-10 (NKJV)
Romans is the greatest study of theology ever written. As Paul nears its conclusion, sin is brought down to simplest terms: If you cause someone to stumble—if you do whatever is not from faith—it is sin.
The opposite of causing another to stumble is to edify (literally "build up") another. It is motivated by love. When we walk in Real Love, our desire is to bring restoration and edification and strength to those around us. Even when they sin, love does not seek opportunity to condemn, but desires to do whatever will cover that sin.
Regardless of what the world says, not everyone is a child of God, but only those of blood—Christ's blood. This is how God's children are known: when we practice righteousness, and when we love our blood brothers and sisters.
Father, You've poured out upon us the greatest love. You are love personified. In You is all goodness. Please make us Your goodness and love to one another. Please keep us from sin.
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Today I'll meditate on the importance of faith and its relationship to righteousness and sin... Thanks Anne...
ReplyDeleteI love that I am God's adopted daughter. It shouldn't, but sometimes it shocks me to read that whatever I do that is not from faith is sin. Reading that once again reminds me how very much I NEED God.
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
I am so blessed beyond measure to be His daughter. I love my Daddy so very much.
ReplyDelete"The opposite of causing another to stumble is to edify" - That is good.
ReplyDeleteIf we busy ourselves with edification, we'll be too busy to stumble.
Thanks Anne, you're an edifier.
Russell, glad to know I'm still giving your brain a workout.
ReplyDeleteWendy, is there an end to the number of ways He brings us to depend on Him?
Denise, He Himself is indeed our greatest blessing.
Doug, you're an edifier, too. I'm privileged to know you.