Stumbling Block: The Command (January 2013)

Being a part of the Christian subculture comes with it's own stock collection of terms and language that can be confusing to those who are not involved in our cultural group. One such phrase is "do not be a stumbling block" to another person. This year we will look at this idea and how we can grow in Christ, and toward holiness, by taking its full teaching to heart (and to hand).

For January, we will be looking at just one aspect of 1 Corinthians 8:9, where Paul addresses the specific problem of Corinthian believers who are divided on the "rightness" of eating meat that has been using in idol worship. In context, some believers do not have a problem with it because they're not gods at all. In fact, Paul says they are nothing at all (8:4). Other believers, on the other hand, believe that eating that meat is wrong because of its use in pagan worship (maybe this has you thinking of the division surrounding Christian holidays with roots in pagan festivities). With this in mind, Paul says...

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

For January, I want us to all focus on the very general practice of not being a stumbling block to someone else. This could mean different things to different people. Maybe as a student it means doing what your parents or teachers or elders to you to do when they ask you to, without complaining (or at least acknowledge that you heard them and intend to presently, if you're unable to stop what you're doing right away), so they don't feel you're ignoring them. As a parent, maybe it involves being more attentive and understanding toward your children so they don't act out. As an employee or boss, maybe it means treating your coworkers fairly, with wisdom, and (when necessary) being judicious when consequences, and growth-inspiring lessons, are needed. In our random interactions with others, maybe it means being gracious and humble with others -- YES, even when we think they don't deserve it! -- and even allowing ourselves to be wronged rather than add sin to sin.

Whatever the event, I am sure that if you take up this challenge, you will find it more difficult than you thought. You will likely recognize the opportunities to avoid being a stumbling block AFTER the fact! Remember these times. Remember how hard it was. Remember what you thought about different circumstances, and why that mattered to you in the moment. Over the next year we will discuss being a stumbling block from numerous angles and hopefully, in the process, avoid the excesses and guilt-laden living that we've been freed from.