Author: Brian Burdett

“Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.” – Romans 14:21

The New Testament is very clear that followers of Jesus have enormous freedom to eat or drink just about anything (as long as it isn’t visibly offered to idols, wasn’t strangled, doesn’t contain blood, etc). Likewise, we have wonderful freedom to engage in a variety of habits that aren’t explicitly forbidden by the Bible as long as they don’t turn into sinful idolatry that taints our minds or controls our hearts. However, many Christians don’t feel that they have such freedom. As a mature follower of Jesus, you need to respect that and not fight about it with them!!!

They may come from cultures that forbid certain things about which the Bible is silent. They may have a personal background that leads them to abstain from certain things. In their studies of the Old Testament, they may have concluded that some rules from the Law make sense or apply to them. Or they may come from a Christian background that added rules about food, drink, dress, and conduct beyond what the Scriptures require. As a Christian, your job is NOT to correct them by flaunting their standards!

It’s OK to gently share from Scripture why you believe differently. It can be helpful to lovingly point believers toward the freedom they have in Christ. NEVER use your freedom in a way that will hurt them spiritually. Don’t throw your freedom in their face. For the sake of their spiritual well-being, it is better for you to respect their rules and boundaries when you are with them. If they have concluded they cannot drink alcohol and you believe differently, don’t drink in front of them. If they have concluded they cannot smoke and you believe differently, don’t smoke in their presence. Likewise for matters of dress and conduct. Your temporary enjoyment of your freedom is not worth spiritual harm to a fellow believer.

This requires a sacrifice of your freedom, but it is one you should willingly make because Jesus sacrificed for you. #FollowJesus

“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.” – Romans 14:1

Christians come in all different ages and stages. They come from many different backgrounds. Some have been discipled well. Many haven’t been discipled at all. Some have have been taught well. Some have barely been taught. Some have studied the Bible diligently. Some have never even known they should study the Bible (or never had a Bible). Many Christians believe a few odd and unusual things. Many Christians do a few odd and unusual things. Those differences doesn’t necessarily make them an enemy. Most of the time, they are and should be welcomed and loved like a brother or sister.

If a person is truly a believer in Jesus, the eternal and risen Son of God, welcome them into a relationship. Discuss the things of God. Learn where they are in their walk with Jesus. Are they a spiritual infant, child, youth, or adult? Is their faith solid or shaky? Learn these things to love them, and either teach or learn from them. Don’t learn these things to humiliate them, torment them, argue with them, or break down their faith!

If a brother or sister has some odd and incorrect notions, that seldom requires you to break fellowship with them or condemn them as a heretic. Not all differences are equal. Not all differences are evil. Most should permit love and fellowship to continue. Of course, if they’re wrong about the nature of our Triune God, the person and work of Jesus the Son, the Holy Spirit, or salvation by grace through faith in Jesus then they need correction. Those who refuse correction in these areas aren’t truly Christian. These are critical doctrines about which we must never compromise and we should teach those who are willing to learn.

Odd habits, traditions, and beliefs around days, foods, religious observances, or lesser doctrines are simply part of the diverse fabric of Christ’s bride. Seek to make peace with fellow believers, especially those who are still wobbly in their faith. Appreciate their differences and help them grow and mature in Christ. Don’t tear them down for erroneous thinking, build them up in God’s Word. Don’t tear them down for being different, build them up in love. #FollowJesus

“Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” – Romans 13:7

As we enter the height of political season in this country, it’s helpful to remember what God’s Word commands to EVERY follower of Jesus (including you). Recognize your earthly government as being divinely appointed, even if you completely disagree with it (Romans 13:2). Obey the government as long as it isn’t forcing you into sin (Romans 13:1). Be a good, godly citizen to the greatest extent possible because that tends to work out best for Christians, though there are no guarantees (Romans 13:3).

And yes, pay your taxes honestly and completely. Don’t try to dodge, duck, or weave around paying your part. File your returns, correctly state your income, don’t cheat on deductions. Respect and honor those serving in government leadership, even when you disagree with and despise everything about them (Romans 13:7).

Don’t start with “what about’s”! Paul wasn’t naive or an idiot. He was literally writing to Christians in Rome where there was an emperor who was a terrible human being. That didn’t change Christian obligations to respect and obey their earthly government then as long as it didn’t force them into sin. God’s Word is still true today.

By all means, lobby for change, campaign for candidates, vote your conscience, lobby for legislation, and be engaged. However, while you do and once everything is said and done, be at peace. Keep paying your taxes. Keep honoring and respecting your leaders, even the terrible ones you despise. Pray in particular for them. #FollowJesus

“For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.'” – Romans 10:11

When it comes to the end and we face the final judgment before Christ, please understand that if Jesus is your Lord Savior then you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Nothing! No mistakes, no guilt, no shame. Those who believe in Jesus will not be shamed. Not before God and the angels. Not before Jesus and the nations.

If you’ve committed your life to Jesus Christ, all your earthly guilt has already been forgiven by God. All your worldly shame has been washed away by the precious, innocent blood of Jesus that was shed for you on the cross.

But what if you do feel ashamed? What if there’s something dark, disturbing, or degrading in your past? You don’t need to be ashamed! Not anymore! Your Savior has already covered it. You are clean in Jesus Christ (John 15:3). Absolutely, perfectly, completely, utterly clean.

So, if you’re holding onto shame in your heart, please believe that God and Jesus aren’t condemning you and they never will. Let the past be in the past. Live free of any shame and confidently #FollowJesus

“Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone” – Romans 9:32

There is only one way to be saved from your sins. Only one. That is by faith in Jesus and only by faith. Not by lots of good deeds. Not by faith plus a few good deeds. Faith ALONE. Our nature and our flesh hates this truth! We’re desperate to try and save ourselves by good works because then we still control our fate and are the master of our destiny. Even if we acknowledge that salvation is by God’s grace through faith alone, we still try to “help out” by doing good works that we think will earn God’s favor. We feel compelled to try and add to what Jesus did on the cross. That isn’t how God’s grace works!

It’s certainly true that if we’ve been truly saved by God’s grace through faith that we are a new creation that desires to do good works. If we’ve been saved by faith, we will genuinely demonstrate it by loving and serving God and our neighbors. If we’ve been saved by faith, we will certainly produce the fruit of a changed life and do the good works God has prepared for us to do.

But let us NEVER get confused! Those things don’t save us. They don’t contribute to our salvation. They don’t buy us release from our latest sins or misdeeds. All of that was 100% accomplished by Jesus Christ’s work on the cross. There’s absolutely nothing we can or do contribute to our salvation. If we do good works out of a secret desire to justify ourselves, to promote ourselves, to cleanse ourselves, or to earn praise or favor for ourselves, then we too have stumbled over the stumbling stone Paul refers to in this verse.

The stumbling stone is our pride and refusal to acknowledge that we can’t contribute to our salvation in any way. The stumbling stone is our continued desire to make ourselves like God by making ourselves righteous rather than embracing the righteousness of Christ that’s freely given to us through faith. Do NOT pursue salvation as if it comes from your good works. #FollowJesus and then do the good works that flow from the reality that you’ve been saved completely and to the uttermost by faith in Jesus and what He did for you on the cross.