For Others’ Sake

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Today's reading, titled For Others' Sake, was written by Lesley Ko. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Singaporeans stayed home to avoid being infected, but I blissfully continued swimming, believing it was safe. My wife, however, feared that I might pick up an infection at the public pool and pass it on to her aged mother, who, like other seniors, was more vulnerable to the virus. Can you just avoid swimming for some time, for my sake?

she asked. At first, I wanted to argue that there was little risk. Then I realized that this mattered less than her feelings.

Why would I insist on swimming, hardly an essential thing, when it made her worry unnecessarily? In Romans 14, Paul addressed issues like whether believers in Christ should eat certain foods or celebrate certain festivals. He was concerned that some people were imposing their views on others. Paul reminded the church in Rome, and us, that believers in Jesus may view situations differently.

We also have diverse backgrounds that color our attitudes and practices. He wrote, 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. God's grace gives us great freedom, even as it helps us express His love to fellow believers. We can use that freedom to put the spiritual needs of others above our own convictions about rules and practices that don't contradict the essential truths found in the gospel.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Romans chapter 14 verses 13 through 21. 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. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.

It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall. Let's pray. Lord, help us to be considerate of the convictions others have and not throw our own freedom in their face. At the same time, help us, as Paul wrote in Romans, not to pass judgment on each other when we see someone doing something we feel doesn't honor you, especially when they fully believe it does. May we be sensitive to your Spirit's leading in each person's life, trusting that you are at work and know exactly what we each need to live godly lives that please you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.